Improvement in liquid absorption of <scp>open‐cell</scp> polymeric foam by plasma treatment for food packaging applications

Free-moving meat exudate in plastic packaging is perceived as unhygienic and unattractive by consumers. It facilitates the deterioration of quality safety, increasing waste loss. This work discusses an innovative approach scavenging within commercial packaging. involves improving liquid absorption capabilities open-cell polystyrene (PS) foam through application oxygen plasma treatment rather than chemical wetting agents. The excited species diffuse into porous structure introducing polar groups onto pore walls improves their surface hydrophilicity. Hence, pores, with enhanced wettability towards water-based liquids, are proposed to have a larger sucking capillary pressure thus capacity PS foam. specific sheets (thickness: 5 mm) increased from 1.09 g g−1 (grams simulant absorbed per gram foam) 8.78 result treatment; eightfold increase (g g−1) that persisted even 60 days post treatment. study demonstrates practicality using non-chemical efficient technology food exudates