Fabrication and characterization of cellulose-based packaging films with polyethylene glycol and silver nanoparticles for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy.

Silver-incorporated cellulose acetate (CA) and CA-polyethylene glycol (PEG) films were successfully fabricated. XRD, FTIR, TGA, SEM-EDS, and DRUV confirmed the formation of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in the CA matrix. AFM analysis revealed that PEG improved surface smoothness, while AgNPs increased roughness and porosity. PEG also facilitated higher silver loading, promoting uniform AgNPs nucleation (<50 nm). Mechanical testing showed that PEG and AgNPs enhanced tensile strength from 4.31 MPa to 59.24 MPa, with PEG specifically improving flexibility. Water vapor permeability increased from 3.66 × 10-14 to 9.53 × 10-14 kg/m. s. Pa, improving moisture control. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated strong activity against E. coli (35 mm), S. aureus (28 mm), C. albicans (38 mm), and A. niger (35 mm), with a 99.99 % bacteriostatic efficiency for 20 % Ag-PEG-CA films. Migration tests confirmed no detectable silver release, ensuring safety for food contact. These findings highlight the potential of AgNP-CA films as antimicrobial and mechanically robust materials for food packaging applications.