Quick-response polymer humidity control composites and application in preservation of fruits and vegetables

摘要

A novel intelligent moisture-controlling polymer composite (IMCPC) with fast response humidity control performance, which can be applied in refrigerators for edible fruits and vegetables, was prepared by intercalation polymerization of acrylamide (AM) with sepiolite. The performance of the resulted IMCPCs was investigated. The results show that vacuum freeze-dried polyacrylamide/sepiolite composite has a porous structure and excellent moisture absorption properties. The IMCPC responds quickly within 30 min both in high and low humidity inside the refrigerator, maintaining relative humidity in the higher range (80-87 RH). It can effectively extend the storage of fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator box. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 137, 48883.