PhD Thesis Defence Presentations - KONSTANTINOS PAPAPETROS

Presentation Title (Τίτλος Παρουσίασης): HIGH-PERFORMANCE INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS FROM NANOCELLULOSE: MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION, STUDY OF ANISOTROPY AND FILM/FIBER MORPHOLOGY
Presentation Type (Τύπος Παρουσίασης): PhD Thesis Defence Presentations
Speakers Full Name (Ονοματεπώνυμο): KONSTANTINOS PAPAPETROS
Speakers Affiliation (Προέλευση Ομιλητή): UNIVERSITY OF PATRAS, DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Seminar Room (Αίθουσα): Webinar Only
Event Date: Thu, Sep 25 2025, Time: 12:00 - 14:30
Live webConference Link: https://iceht-forth.webex.com/meet/K.Papapetros_Phd_Thesis_Defense
Abstract (Περίληψη)

Future research in the field of biodegradable packaging materials and bio-based plastics is expected to play a decisive role in sustainable development. Continuous optimization of their properties, such as mechanical strength, barrier performance, and biostatic activity, is essential to meet the demands of real food packaging applications. At the same time, the development of innovative techniques to reduce production costs is a critical step towards making biopolymers competitive to established synthetic packaging materials such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). This direction is pivotal for the transition to a more sustainable and circular model of industrial production.

This doctoral dissertation was carried out within the framework of the HIPERION project (High-Performance Industrial Materials from Nanocellulose, Τ2ΕDΚ-01394) and focuses on the development and evaluation of biodegradable polymeric systems reinforced with nanocelluloses for food packaging applications. The central objective was to study and optimize the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and chitosan, as well as their nanocomposites with nanocellulose, in order to establish them as promising, environmentally friendly materials with reduced footprint and high performance.

The first part examined the effects of thermal treatment (annealing) on the structure and properties of PVA membranes. The relationship between bound water distribution, crystallinity, and polymer network density was highlighted, and these parameters were correlated (as promising future research) with the mechanical and barrier properties of the membranes, in accordance with European food packaging regulations.

The second part focused on the reinforcement of PVA through the incorporation of nanocelluloses of different morphologies (CNC, NLC). Results showed that homogeneous dispersion of nanocelluloses enhances molecular orientation, directly improving mechanical strength, reducing permeability to critical gases (O₂, CO₂, N₂), and limiting hydrophilicity, thus making the composites suitable for modified or controlled atmosphere packaging applications.

The third part investigated chitosan-based systems, as well as ternary blends of chitosan/PVA with nanocelluloses. The miscibility and physicochemical interactions of the components were studied, while significant improvements in mechanical and barrier properties were recorded. Particular emphasis was given on the potential development of edible, biodegradable membranes suitable for zero-waste applications.

Overall, this dissertation provides a comprehensive knowledge framework and technological approach for the development of advanced biopolymeric food packaging systems. The results highlight the critical role of nanocelluloses in optimizing functional properties and offer feasible solutions for production upscaling and industrial exploitation of low environmental footprint materials.

Speakers Short CV (Σύντομο Βιογραφικό Ομιλητή)

Graduate of the Department of Physics (2014–2019) at the University of Patras, with a specialization in Materials Physics and Technology (Diploma Thesis title: Study of surface plasmon excitation and polymer adsorption on metallic thin films). He holds a Master’s degree from the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Patras through the postgraduate program Advanced Applications in Chemical Engineering (Master’s Thesis title: Characterization of yarns/fabrics and their surface modification for one-step dyeing. Evaluation of environmental efficiency). Since 2021, he has been a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering, conducting his doctoral research as a fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineering Sciences (FORTH/ICE-HT), with the dissertation title: High-performance industrial materials from nanocellulose: molecular characterization, anisotropy study, and morphology of films/fibers.

His research interests focus on the synthesis and preparation of composite materials (films), as well as the molecular characterization and modification of cellulose, with applications both in improving textile dyeing and in developing biodegradable food packaging materials. He has experience in applying advanced surface analysis techniques such as XPS and SPR, as well as in evaluating the functional properties of composite polymeric membranes for use in food packaging.

He has participated in nine European and national scientific conferences. Part of the results of his doctoral dissertation has already been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, while he has also contributed to related studies and participated in the submission of a patent. 

1. Tsimpouki, L., Papapetros, K., Anastasopoulos, C., Sygellou, L., Soto-Beobide, A., Andrikopoulos, K., Voyiatzis, G., Bokias, G., Kallitsis, J. “Water-soluble quaternized copolymers as eco-friendly cationic modifiers of cotton fabrics for salt-free reactive dyeing applications” Cellulose 30, 6031–6050 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10570-023-05220-w   

2.  Papapetros, K., Sygellou, L., Anastasopoulos, C., Andrikopoulos, K., Bokias, G., Voyiatzis, G. “Spectroscopic Study of the Interaction of Reactive Dyes with Polymeric Cationic Modifiers of Cotton Fabrics” Appl. Sci. 13, 5530-18 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095530  

3.  Barmpaki, A. A., Zavvou, E. E., Drivas, C., Papapetros, K., Sygellou, L., Andrikopoulos, K., Kennou, S., Andritsos, N., Giannakas, A., Salmas, C., Ladavos, A., Svarnas, P., Karahaliou, P., Krontiras, C. “Atomic layer deposition of ZnO on PLA/TiO2 bionanocomposites: Evaluation of surface chemistry and physical properties toward food packaging applications” J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 140, e54465-16 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1002/app.54465   

4.  Papapetros, K., Mathioudakis, G., Vroulias, D., Koutroumanis, N., Voyiatzis, G., Andrikopoulos, K. “Structure-Properties Correlations of PVA-Cellulose Based Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging Applications” Polymers 17, 1911-22 (2025). https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17141911   

5.   Sarafidou, M., Vlysidis, A., Papapetros, K., Filippi, K., Voyiatzis, G., Andrikopoulos, K. S., Koutinas, A., Stylianou, E. “Development and characterization of bacterial cellulose nanocomposites from de-pectinated sugar beet pulp hydrolysates within a biorefinery” Bioresource Technology, 427, 132351-11 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132351  

Granted Patent. Title: ’Method for improving dyeing processes for cotton textile’. 

Appl. No.: 20220100386/9-5-2022

Inventors: G.A Voyiatzis, K.S Andrikopoulos, A. Soto Beobide, K. Papapetros, L. Syggelou, G. Bokias, J. Kallitsis, Ch. Anastasopoulos, L. Tsimpouki, A. Apostolidis, A. Soulis 

Depositors:  FORTH/ICE-HT, University of Patras, Colora S.A, Sulis Khunis S.A.