Magnetically functionalized gelatin–pectin bioplastics integrated with Fe3O4 and NiO nanoparticles

Plastics are widely used due to their low cost and lightweight structure. However, their long-lasting, non-biodegradable structures cause serious environmental and health problems. Improper disposal of plastics leads to permanent accumulation in all ecosystems. These accumulations primarily consist of microplastics. This study aims to develop multifunctional, environmentally friendly bioplastics with additional properties, including magnetic properties. Gelatin and pectin were used as the base of biopolymers. Glycerin was added for flexibility. The biopolymer matrix was enriched with nickel oxide (NiO) and iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (NPs). These NPs were produced by chemical co-precipitation and were uniformly dispersed via an ultrasonic bath. Then, NPs were incorporated into a gelatin-pectin solution, and the mixture was stirred until it became homogeneous. Finally, bioplastics were dried by solvent casting. Bioplastics were characterized for their structural, morphological, and magnetic properties using XRD, TEM, SEM, and VSM. NiO NPs contribute antibacterial effects. Magnetic responsiveness from Fe3O4 and NiO increases the bioplastic potential functions. The synthesized bioplastics directly support the fundamental goal of producing high-performance, environmentally friendly materials suitable for food packaging and biomedical applications.