Experimental Synthesis of TiO₂-CeO2 Nanocomposite for Advanced PLA-Based Biodegradable Food Packaging Thin Films

In this study, a green-synthesized titanium oxide (TiO₂) nanomaterial was successfully fabricated and subsequently incorporated into a polylactic acid (PLA)–polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix. Further, cerium oxide (CeO₂) was introduced into the composite system at varying concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%) to engineer a biodegradable thin-film architecture. A comprehensive suite of physicochemical and functional characterizations was conducted to evaluate the structural, morphological, thermal, optical, and antimicrobial attributes of the fabricated nanocomposite films. The materials were systematically analyzed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy for both transmission and absorption properties. Additionally, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to elucidate the surface chemistry and electronic states of the constituent elements. Furthermore, an in-depth mechanical evaluation was conducted, along with Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) analyses, to assess the barrier properties of the films. The comprehensive dataset obtained from these analyses demonstrated remarkable consistency with existing literature, affirming the exceptional performance of the developed films in terms of biodegradability, mechanical robustness, and antimicrobial efficacy. These findings indicate that the formulated composite films hold significant potential for advanced biodegradable packaging and antimicrobial applications, marking a substantial advancement in sustainable material science.