Development of Highly Transparent and Multifunctional Lignin‐Derived Carbon Quantum Dots/ PVA Composite Films for Active Food Packaging

ABSTRACT Active food packaging prolongs the shelf life and maintains the food quality through the integration of functional additives. In this study, the multifunctional fluorescent composite films were fabricated by incorporating lignin‐derived carbon quantum dots (LCQDs) into a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix. The obtained LCQDs/PVA composite films had high fluorescence stability and transparency. Meanwhile, compared with PVA films, the tensile strength (60.31 MPa) and elongation at break (313.94%) of LCQDs/PVA composite films were increased by 49.6% and 49.55% owing to the interfacial hydrogen bonding. Furthermore, the composite films achieved an antioxidant efficiency and UV blocking exceeding 90%, benefiting from the unique characteristics of LCQDs. Additionally, the LCQDs/PVA films showed outstanding antibacterial activity, with inhibition rates reaching 89% for S. aureus and 100% for E. coli . The results demonstrated that LCQDs/PVA composite films had the potential application in active food packaging.