Investigations into the Potential Abrasive Release of Nanomaterials due to Material Stress Conditions-Part A: Carbon Black Nano-Particulates in Plastic and Rubber Composites

• Main Authors: Johannes Bott, Roland Franz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-01-01
• Series: Applied Sciences
• Subjects: carbon black; nanomaterial; release; diffusion based migration; mechanical stress test; food contact
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/9/2/214

Plastic and rubber based composites containing carbon black (CB) were investigated for the potential to release CB nano-particulates under stress conditions into food simulants. Nanocomposites were exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress, followed by mechanical abrasion of their surface. Particle sensitive asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection was used to detect and quantify CB nano-particulates. This study demonstrates that, even under dynamic stress conditions, CB nano-particulates are not released from the plastic or rubber compounds into food. This study intends also to propose a general nano-release stress test protocol for plastic materials coming into contact with foodstuff.