PLA Films Containing Montmorillonite Nanoclay–Citronella Essential Oil Hybrids for Potential Active Film Formulation

This work evaluated the synergistic effect of citronella essential oil (Ct) and montmorillonite (MMT) (called hybrid compound) incorporated in Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films at different concentrations (3, 10, 15, 20 wt%). PLA were characterized using X-ray diffraction, SEM, TGA, DSC considering their mechanical properties migration. XRD analysis showed effective interaction between MMT oil. Thermal analysis, tests to understand saturation point composites. Samples with 15% 20% Ct a crystallinity reduction 0.5% compared samples 3% 10% Ct. PLA/MMT–Ct tensile strength order 16 24, correlated content, respectively, PLA/MMT–Ct3%. Migration fast delivery high concentration, as evidenced PLA/MMT–Ct20% sample results, which an estimated release 50% first 150 h due system saturation, remaining being released last 350 h. Therefore, migration provide concentration range promising for application active packaging intrinsic antimicrobial