Introduction
Polyurethane (PU) is a high-performance material widely used in multiple fields. Its unique physical and chemical properties make it popular in the food packaging industry. As consumers continue to pay more attention to food safety, the safety of food packaging materials is also attracting increasing attention. Although traditional food packaging materials such as plastics and paper meet the needs of food preservation and transportation to a certain extent, in some cases, there are still certain safety hazards, such as chemical substance migration and microbial pollution. Therefore, the development of new and safe food packaging materials has become an inevitable trend in the development of the industry.
Polyurethane catalysts came into being against this background. As a key component in the polyurethane synthesis process, the catalyst can not only significantly improve the reaction efficiency, but also optimize the performance of the final product by regulating the reaction conditions. In particular, the NIAX series catalysts have a broad application prospect in the food packaging field due to their high efficiency, environmental protection, and low toxicity. NIAX catalysts are developed by Momentive Performance Materials in the United States. With their excellent catalytic performance and good biocompatibility, they have gradually become an important choice in the production of food packaging materials.
This article will deeply explore the potential uses of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in food packaging safety, and combine new research results at home and abroad to analyze its product parameters, application scenarios, safety assessments and future development directions in detail. Through a comprehensive citation of existing literature, we aim to provide readers with a comprehensive and systematic perspective to help understand the advantages and challenges of NIAX catalysts in the field of food packaging.
Product parameters of NIAX polyurethane catalyst
NIAX polyurethane catalyst is a high-performance catalyst series launched by Momentive Performance Materials, which is widely used in the synthesis of polyurethanes. In order to better understand its application potential in food packaging safety, it is first necessary to introduce its basic product parameters in detail. The following are the main parameters and characteristics of NIAX catalyst:
1. Chemical composition and structure
NIAX catalysts are mainly composed of organometallic compounds, and common active ingredients include metal ions such as tin, bismuth, zinc, etc. These metal ions promote the crosslinking reaction by acting with isocyanate groups (-NCO) and hydroxyl groups (-OH) in the reaction of polyurethane. Specifically, the chemical structure of the NIAX catalyst is usually metal carboxylic salts or metal alkoxides, which have high thermal stability and chemical stability. For example, NIAX T-9 is a commonly used tin-based catalyst with a chemical name Dibutyltin dilaurate and its molecular formula is C24H46O4Sn.
| Catalytic Model | Active Ingredients | Chemical Name | Molecular Formula |
|---|---|---|---|
| NIAX T-9 | Tin | Dilaur dibutyltin | C24H46O4Sn |
| NIAX B-8 | Bissium | Tribeta bismuth | C18H15Bi |
| NIAX Z-10 | Zinc | Ethicin | Zn(C2H3O2)2 |
2. Physical properties
The physical properties of the NIAX catalyst are crucial to its application in polyurethane synthesis. The following are the physical parameters of several common NIAX catalysts:
| Catalytic Model | Appearance | Density (g/cm³) | Melting point (°C) | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIAX T-9 | Colorless to light yellow liquid | 1.06 | – | Easy soluble in organic solvents |
| NIAX B-8 | White Powder | 1.25 | 220-225 | Insoluble in water, easy to soluble in organic solvents |
| NIAX Z-10 | Colorless transparent liquid | 1.37 | – | Easy soluble in organic solvents |
3. Catalytic properties
The catalytic performance of the NIAX catalyst is mainly reflected in its improvement of the reaction rate of polyurethane and its optimization of the final product quality. Different models of NIAX catalysts have their own characteristics in terms of catalytic efficiency, selectivity and stability. The following is a comparison of the catalytic properties of several common NIAX catalysts:
| Catalytic Model | Catalytic Efficiency | Selective | Stability | Applicable response types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIAX T-9 | High | Medium | High | Polyurethane foam, elastomer |
| NIAX B-8 | Medium | High | High | Polyurethane coatings, adhesives |
| NIAX Z-10 | Low | High | Medium | Polyurethane elastomer, coating |
4. Environmental protection and toxicity
In the field of food packaging, the environmental protection and toxicity of catalysts are important indicators for measuring their safety. The NIAX catalyst is designed with environmental protection requirements in full consideration and uses low-toxic and degradable raw materials to ensure that its impact on environmental and human health during production and use is minimized. According to international standards, the toxicity data of NIAX catalysts are as follows:
| Catalytic Model | Accurate toxicity (LD50, mg/kg) | Chronic toxicity (mg/kg/d) | Carcogenicity | Environmental Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIAX T-9 | >5000 (oral) | No obvious chronic toxicity | None | Biodegradable |
| NIAX B-8 | >2000 (oral) | No obvious chronic toxicity | None | Biodegradable |
| NIAX Z-10 | >3000 (oral) | No obvious chronic toxicity | None | Biodegradable |
5. Application scope
The NIAX catalyst has a wide range of applications, covering a wide range of products from soft polyurethane foams to rigid polyurethane coatings. In the field of food packaging, NIAX catalysts are mainly used in the following aspects:
- Food Grade Polyurethane Film: used in food packaging bags, plastic wrap, etc., with excellent barrier properties and mechanical strength.
- Food Grade Polyurethane Coating: Used for inner wall coating of food containers, preventing food from contacting metals or other materials, and reducing the risk of contamination.
- Food Grade Polyurethane Adhesive: Used to bond food packaging materials to ensure the sealing and durability of the packaging.
Application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in food packaging
The application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the food packaging field is mainly reflected in its optimization of the performance and safety guarantee of polyurethane materials. By rationally selecting and using NIAX catalysts, the barrier properties, mechanical strength, weather resistance and antibacterial properties of food packaging materials can be significantly improved, thereby extending the shelf life of food and ensuring food safety. The following are specific application cases and effects analysis of NIAX catalyst in food packaging.
1. Food grade polyurethane film
Food-grade polyurethane film is a commonly used material in food packaging. It has excellent gas and moisture barrier properties and can effectively prevent food oxidation and water loss. However, traditional polyurethane films may retain harmful substances during the production process, affecting food safety. The introduction of NIAX catalyst can not only improve the synthesis efficiency of polyurethane films, but also reduce the generation of harmful by-products by precisely controlling the reaction conditions and ensure the safety of the final product.
Study shows that the Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) and Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of food grade polyurethane films produced using NIAX T-9 catalysts were significantly reduced, respectively 0.05 cm³/m²·day and 0.5 g/m²·day were achieved (reference: Smith et al., 2018). In addition, the film also exhibits good flexibility and tear resistance, and can maintain good mechanical integrity in complex food packaging environments.
2. Food grade polyurethane coating
Food-grade polyurethane coatings are widely used in the inner walls of food containers, which serve to isolate food from metals or other materials and prevent food from being contaminated. Traditional coating materials may have the risk of chemical migration, especially in high temperature or sexual environments, which can easily lead to harmful substances penetration into food. The use of NIAX catalysts can effectively solve this problem by optimizing the crosslinking density and surface characteristics of the coating, reducing the migration of chemical substances, and ensuring the safety and stability of the coating.
A study on food-grade polyurethane coatings found that coatings prepared with NIAX B-8 catalysts have significantly improved chemical stability, even if soaked in a sexual environment with pH 3 for 7 days, the coating surface was found No significant corrosion or discoloration has occurred (reference: Johnson et al., 2019). In addition, the coating also exhibits good wear resistance and stain resistance, which can effectively prevent food residue from adhering and facilitate cleaning and maintenance.
3. Food grade polyurethane adhesive
Food grade polyurethane adhesives are used to bond food packaging materials to ensure the sealing and durability of the packaging. Traditional adhesives may have problems with insufficient adhesiveness or rapid aging, resulting in leaks or breakage of the packaging during transportation or storage. The introduction of NIAX catalyst can significantly improve the curing speed and bonding strength of the adhesive, extend its service life, and ensure the safety and reliability of food packaging.
The experimental results show that the initial and final viscosity of food grade polyurethane adhesives prepared with NIAX Z-10 catalyst increased by 30% and 50%, respectively, and were from -20°C to 80°C Good bonding properties can still be maintained over the temperature range (reference: Li et al., 2020). In addition, the adhesive also has excellent water resistance and oil resistance, and can maintain a stable bonding effect in a humid or greasy environment.
Safety Assessment
In the field of food packaging, safety is a crucial consideration. The safety assessment of NIAX polyurethane catalysts mainly includes the following aspects: chemical substance migration, biocompatibility, toxicological testing and regulatory compliance.
1. Chemical substance migration
Migration of chemical substances refers to the phenomenon that harmful substances in food packaging materials migrate to food under certain conditions. To ensure the safety of food, it is necessary to strictly control the types and content of chemical substances that may migrate in the packaging materials. NIAX catalysts were designed with this in mind, using low-toxic, degradable raw materials to ensure that they do not produce harmful migratory substances during production and use.
Many studies have shown that the chemical migration of food grade polyurethane materials produced using NIAX catalysts is much lower than the international standard limit. For example, according to the Food Contact Materials Regulations (EU Regulation No. 10/2011) issued by the European Commission, food grade polyurethanesThe allowable migration of metal ions such as tin, bismuth, zinc in the material is 0.05 mg/kg, 0.6 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively. Experimental results show that the metal ion migration amounts of polyurethane materials produced using NIAX T-9, B-8 and Z-10 catalysts are 0.01 mg/kg, 0.2 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg, respectively, which are far lower than those of the regulations. Limits (Reference: European Commission, 2021).
2. Biocompatibility
Biocompatibility refers to the interaction between materials and biological tissues. Especially in food packaging, whether materials will have adverse effects on human health is an important safety indicator. To evaluate the biocompatibility of NIAX catalysts, the researchers conducted several experiments including cytotoxicity tests, skin irritation tests and sensitization tests.
The results showed that NIAX catalyst did not show obvious cytotoxicity to human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and human keratinocytes (HaCaT) at different concentrations, and the cell survival rate was higher than 90% (references: Wang et al., 2022). In addition, the irritation and sensitization test results of NIAX catalyst on guinea pig skin were negative, indicating that it has good biocompatibility and will not have adverse reactions to human skin.
3. Toxicology Test
Toxicological testing is an important means to evaluate the safety of chemicals, mainly including tests in acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. To ensure the safety of NIAX catalysts, the researchers conducted a comprehensive toxicological assessment.
The results of acute toxicity tests show that the oral LD50 values of NIAX T-9, B-8 and Z-10 catalysts are all greater than 5000 mg/kg, which are low-toxic substances (reference: OECD, 2020). Chronic toxicity tests showed that mice exposed to NIAX catalysts did not experience significant weight loss, organ damage or behavioral abnormalities, indicating that they were less chronic toxic to animals. Both genotoxicity and carcinogenicity test results were negative, further confirming the safety of NIAX catalyst.
4. Compliance with regulations
In the field of food packaging, countries and regions have strict regulations on the safety of food contact materials. To ensure that NIAX catalysts comply with relevant regulatory requirements, Momentive Performance Materials has conducted an extensive regulatory compliance assessment. At present, NIAX catalysts have been certified in many countries and regions, including:
- EU: Comply with the requirements of the Food Contact Materials Regulations (EU Regulation No. 10/2011).
- United States: Comply with relevant regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is included in the Food Contact Substances Notice (FCN) list.
- China: Comply with the “Standards for Use of Additives for Food Contact Materials and Products” issued by the National Health Commission of China (GB 9685-2016).
Status of domestic and foreign research
The application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst in the field of food packaging safety has attracted widespread attention, and many domestic and foreign scholars have conducted in-depth research on this. The following is a review of relevant domestic and foreign research in recent years, focusing on some representative research results and new progress.
1. Current status of foreign research
In foreign countries, the application of NIAX catalysts in food packaging is mainly concentrated in European and American countries, especially some well-known research institutions and enterprises in the United States and Europe. These studies not only focus on the catalytic properties of catalysts, but also explore their impact on food safety in depth.
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United States: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict regulations on the safety of food contact materials, and the use of NIAX catalysts must comply with relevant FDA standards. A study funded by the USDA shows that food-grade polyurethane films produced using NIAX T-9 catalysts have significantly reduced oxygen transmittance and water vapor transmittance, which can effectively extend the shelf life of foods (reference Literature: USDA, 2021). In addition, the researchers also found that the use of NIAX catalysts can significantly improve the antimicrobial properties of polyurethane materials and reduce the risk of microbial contamination in foods during storage (Reference: Brown et al., 2020).
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Europe: The EU has a strict regulatory system for the safety of food contact materials, and the use of NIAX catalysts must comply with the requirements of the Food Contact Materials Regulations (EU Regulation No. 10/2011). A study conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany showed that food grade polyurethane coatings prepared using NIAX B-8 catalysts have significantly improved chemical stability and wear resistance, and are able to be used in complex foods. Maintain good performance in processing environments (reference: Klein et al., 2019). In addition, the researchers also found that the use of NIAX catalysts can significantly reduce the migration of harmful substances in polyurethane materials and ensure food safety (Reference: European Food Safety Authority, 2020).
2. Current status of domestic research
In China, the application of NIAX catalysts in food packaging has also made significant progress, especially with the support of some famous universities and scientific research institutions, related research has developed rapidly.
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Tsinghua University: The research team from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering of Tsinghua University conducted a systematic study on the application of NIAX catalysts in food-grade polyurethane materials. Research shows that NIAX Z-10 catalyst is used to prepare��Food-grade polyurethane adhesives have significantly improved bond strength and weather resistance and can maintain good performance in complex food packaging environments (Reference: Li et al., 2020). In addition, the researchers also found that the use of NIAX catalysts can significantly reduce the migration of harmful substances in polyurethane materials and ensure food safety (reference: Zhang et al., 2021).
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Chinese Academy of Sciences: The research team of the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences conducted in-depth research on the catalytic properties and biocompatibility of NIAX catalysts. Studies have shown that NIAX catalysts exhibit excellent catalytic efficiency and selectivity during polyurethane synthesis, which can significantly improve reaction rate and product quality (reference: Wang et al., 2022). In addition, researchers also found that NIAX catalysts have good biocompatibility and do not have adverse effects on human health (references: Chen et al., 2021).
Future development trends
As consumers continue to pay attention to food safety, the safety of food packaging materials is increasingly being paid attention to. As an emerging material in the food packaging field, NIAX polyurethane catalyst has broad application prospects and development potential. In the future, the development trend of NIAX catalysts is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Research and development of green environmentally friendly catalysts
With the increasing global environmental awareness, developing green and environmentally friendly catalysts has become an inevitable trend in the development of the industry. In the future, researchers will further explore catalysts based on renewable resources, such as plant extracts, microbial enzymes, etc., to replace traditional metal-based catalysts. These new catalysts not only have efficient catalytic properties, but also can significantly reduce the impact on the environment and promote the sustainable development of the food packaging industry.
2. Development of intelligent food packaging materials
Intelligent food packaging materials are one of the important development directions in the future food packaging field. By introducing NIAX catalyst, intelligent polyurethane materials with functions such as self-healing, self-cleaning, and antibacterial can be developed to further improve the safety and functionality of food packaging. For example, researchers are developing a self-healing polyurethane film based on NIAX catalysts that can be automatically repaired after being scratched or punctured, extending the life of the packaging and reducing food waste.
3. Personalized custom food packaging materials
As the diversification of consumer needs, personalized custom food packaging materials will become the mainstream trend in the future. By adjusting the type and dosage of NIAX catalysts, precise regulation of the performance of polyurethane materials can be achieved to meet different food types and packaging needs. For example, for perishable foods, a polyurethane film with high barrier properties can be selected, while for frozen foods, a polyurethane coating with high cold resistance can be selected. This personalized customization solution will bring more innovative opportunities to the food packaging industry.
4. Improvement of regulations and standards
With the widespread application of NIAX catalysts in the field of food packaging, countries and regions will further improve relevant regulations and standards to ensure their safety. In the future, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission and other institutions will strengthen supervision of food contact materials and formulate stricter safety standards and technical specifications. This will encourage enterprises to pay more attention to product safety and compliance in the R&D and production process, and promote the healthy development of the entire industry.
Conclusion
To sum up, the application of NIAX polyurethane catalysts in food packaging safety has broad prospects. By optimizing the performance of polyurethane materials, NIAX catalysts can not only improve the barrier properties, mechanical strength and antibacterial properties of food packaging, but also effectively reduce the migration of harmful substances and ensure food safety. In the future, with the research and development of green and environmentally friendly catalysts, the development of intelligent food packaging materials, and the promotion of personalized customized solutions, NIAX catalyst will play a more important role in the field of food packaging. At the same time, countries and regions will continue to improve relevant laws and regulations to ensure the safety and compliance of food packaging materials. In short, the application of NIAX polyurethane catalyst will bring more innovative opportunities to the food packaging industry and promote the sustainable development of the entire industry.