Self-Healing Polymer Composites for Pharmaceutical Packaging Applications

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 04 | Page : 648 658
    By

    Karanje P.S.,

  • L.D. Mangate,

  • Prasanna Kattimani,

  • Shailly Gupta,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Krishna Institute of Pharmacy, Karad, Maharshtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vishwakarma Institute of Technology, Pune, Maharshtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Technology, Pimpri, Pune, Maharshtra, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy, Arya College of Pharmacy, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Pharmaceutical packaging plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, stability, and effectiveness of pharmaceutical products. Conventional polymer-based packaging materials are prone to mechanical damage, microcracks, and environmental degradation, which can compromise drug integrity. Self-healing polymer composites (SHPCs) offer a promising solution by enabling autonomous or stimuli-responsive repair mechanisms that restore packaging integrity, enhance durability, and extend product shelf life. These materials function through intrinsic mechanisms, such as dynamic covalent bonding and supramolecular interactions, or extrinsic mechanisms, including microencapsulated healing agents and vascular networks. The selection of self-healing materials for pharmaceutical packaging requires careful consideration of biocompatibility, non-toxicity, mechanical strength, and barrier performance. Various materials, such as Diels-Alder polymers, ionomers, and capsule-based composites, demonstrate potential in this domain. The application of SHPCs in pharmaceutical packaging can lead to enhanced barrier properties, improved tamper resistance, and reduced packaging waste, aligning with sustainable development goals. Despite these advantages, challenges such as regulatory compliance, cost-effectiveness, and scalability hinder the widespread adoption of SHPCs in commercial pharmaceutical packaging. Further research is needed to optimize material formulations, enhance healing efficiency, and integrate smart packaging technologies for real-time monitoring of packaging integrity. This paper explores the principles of self-healing polymer composites, their mechanisms, material selection criteria, and applications in pharmaceutical packaging. It discusses key challenges and future research directions that could drive the commercialization of self-healing packaging materials in the pharmaceutical industry. The integration of SHPCs represents a transformative advancement in pharmaceutical packaging, ensuring enhanced protection and prolonged stability of drug formulations.

Keywords: Pharmaceutical packaging, polymer composites, mechanical recovery, tamper resistance, barrier properties, drug stability, smart packaging, microcapsule healing, autonomous repair, moisture protection, oxygen barrier.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

How to cite this article:
Karanje P.S., L.D. Mangate, Prasanna Kattimani, Shailly Gupta. Self-Healing Polymer Composites for Pharmaceutical Packaging Applications. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):648-658.
How to cite this URL:
Karanje P.S., L.D. Mangate, Prasanna Kattimani, Shailly Gupta. Self-Healing Polymer Composites for Pharmaceutical Packaging Applications. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(04):648-658. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=211773


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Special Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Special Issue 04
Received 20/03/2025
Accepted 24/05/2025
Published 19/06/2025
Publication Time 91 Days
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