Study on the performance and application of coatings based on chitosan/gelatin/microbeads composite aerogel

Abstract Plastic reduction regulations have resulted in the gradual replacement of traditional food plastic packaging materials with biodegradable and recyclable paper‐based ones. However, paper is prone to water absorption and moisture damage, and it has poor insulation properties, which can impact food quality and user experience. Recently, biopolymers have gained wide interest as the main substrate for paper coatings, providing various qualities for paper‐based materials to meet food packaging requirements. The coating based on chitosan/gelatin/microbeads composite aerogel prepared in this study not only possesses inherent antimicrobial and preservation properties but also enhances the cardboard's mechanical strength, hydrophobicity, and thermal insulation effect after coating on cardboard. When the coating thickness was 30 μm, the tensile strength of the cardboard was enhanced by 0.65 kN/m, the contact angle increased by 19.3°, and the thermal conductivity coefficient decreased by 0.024 W·m −1 ·K −1 . Therefore, the biopolymer composite coating developed in this study provides an eco‐friendly substitute for plastic coatings on cardboard. In addition to bacteriostatic and preserving freshness, it can also address paper‐based material shortcomings, ensuring food quality and safety with comprehensive packaging protection.