The development of food packaging materials with mechanical and antimicrobial properties is still a major challenge. N, P-doped carbons (NPCs) were synthesized. Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), which has an adverse effect on the environment and affects petroleum resources, has been commonly used for applications as food packaging. The development of PBAT composites reinforced with NPCs and studies on their structure and antimicrobial properties are presented in this study. The composite materials in the PBAT/NPCs were processed by solution casting. The plasticizing properties of NPCs enhanced the mechanical strength of composites produced of PBAT and NPCs. The thermal properties of PBAT composites were enhanced with addition of NPCs, according to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). After reinforcement, PBAT/NPCs composites became more hydrophobic, according to contact angle measurements. In studies against S. aureus and E. coli food-borne pathogenic bacteria, the obtained composites show noticeably improved antimicrobial activity. The composite materials, according to the results of PBAT and NPCs may be a good choice for packing for food that prevents microorganisms.

Development and characterization of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) composites with N, P-doped carbons for food packaging
    Abstract
        Graphical abstract
    1 Introduction
    2 Materials and methods
        2.1 Materials
        2.2 Synthesis of N, P-doped carbon nanoparticles (NPCs)
        2.3 Preparation of the PBATNPCs composite films
        2.4 Characterization
            2.4.1 Structural characterization
            2.4.2 Morphological studies
            2.4.3 Thermal characterization
            2.4.4 Mechanical properties
            2.4.5 Measurements of the contact angle
            2.4.6 Antimicrobial property measurements
    3 Results and discussion
        3.1 Characterization of NPCs materials
        3.2 Characterization of PBATNPCs composites
        3.3 Evaluation of the antimicrobial properties
    4 Conclusion
    Acknowledgements 
    References

• Raja Venkatesan(School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)
• Siva Sankar Sana(School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)
• Vanaraj Ramkumar(School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)
• Krishnapandi Alagumalai(School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)
• Seong‑Cheol Kim(School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, Republic of Korea)