Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad
Dr. Ivan Ristić
Development of sensory polyurethane composites for intelligent food packaging
ABSTRACT
Polymeric sensors represent a promising class of materials for detecting chemical and physical changes in the environment due to their flexibility, ease of processing, and ability to integrate different functional groups. In this study, an innovative biodegradable packaging material with advanced sensory properties was developed, based on polyaniline as the active sensing component and a polyurethane matrix. The polymer matrix enables homogeneous dispersion of polyaniline, whose conductivity and optical properties change in the presence of gases released during food spoilage. This mechanism allows for continuous and reliable real-time visual indication of food freshness. Additionally, the polyurethane matrix is functionalized with self-healing properties, extending the packaging’s durability and preventing damage that could affect its sensing efficiency. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the structural integrity of both polyaniline and the polyurethane matrix, while DSC analysis demonstrated that the thermal properties of the composite can be tailored by selecting appropriate components. A detailed characterization of polyaniline’s sensing sensitivity to different gas concentrations was performed, along with an assessment of the stability and reproducibility of the sensor response. The obtained results confirm that the developed composite has great potential for application in intelligent food packaging, contributing to improved food safety and reduced waste of perishable products.
Keywords: polymeric sensors, intelligent food packaging, polyaniline, self-healing polyurethane
Biography of the presenter
Dr. Ivan Ristić is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad. He is an expert in the synthesis of various polymer materials, including polyesters and bio-based polyurethanes. His research focuses on polymer synthesis, biodegradable polymers, smart materials, and polymer characterization. He has supervised four completed PhD theses in the field of bio-based multifunctional materials. Dr. Ristić has served as the principal investigator or participant in multiple national and international research projects. He actively collaborates with leading international scientific institutions, including the Kansas Polymer Research Center, University of Pittsburgh (USA), Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague), Charles University (Prague), the University of Westminster (UK), and the National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (Italy), among others. Dr. Ristić has been an editor and reviewer for numerous scientific journals. He currently serves as the President of the Section for Materials Engineering within the Chemical Society of Vojvodina – Serbian Chemical Society.
He is the author of 80 scientific papers indexed in the SCI list, with over 1,500 citations and an h-index of 24. In addition, he has published two books on biodegradable materials and polyurethanes and holds four national patents.
