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Influence of Montmorillonite Nanoclay Content on the Optical, Thermal, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2024

Nattinee Bumbudsanpharoke ,
Wooseok Lee ,
Jae Chun Choi ,
Se-Jong Park ,
Meekyung Kim  and
Seonghyuk Ko
Nattinee Bumbudsanpharoke
Affiliation:
Department of Packaging, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju-si, 26493, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Wooseok Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Packaging, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju-si, 26493, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
Jae Chun Choi
Affiliation:
Food Additives and Packaging Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong, 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Se-Jong Park
Affiliation:
Food Additives and Packaging Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong, 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Meekyung Kim
Affiliation:
Food Additives and Packaging Division, National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, 187 Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong, 28159, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
Seonghyuk Ko*
Affiliation:
Department of Packaging, Yonsei University, 1 Yonseidae-gil, Wonju-si, 26493, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
*
*E-mail address of corresponding author: s.ko@yonsei.ac.kr
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Abstract

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Although low density polyethylene (LDPE) has long been widely used in packaging applications, some limitations in its use still exist and are due to its relatively poor gas barrier properties and low mechanical strength which can restrict its extensive use for more advanced applications, such as electronic and pharmaceutical packaging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of using montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay as a means to enhance the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of LDPE prepared via melt extrusion. The level of exfoliated dispersion of the MMT nanoclay in the prepared LDPE-MMT composite was confirmed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The relationship between the resulting morphology and the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties as a function of the MMT content was evaluated. The results showed that incorporating >3 wt.% of MMT nanoclay produced significant changes in the morphology of the LDPE-MMT nanoclay composite in that the segregated matrix adopted an oriented arrangement of exfoliated clay platelets. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of LDPE improved significantly as a result of MMT nanoclay incorporation. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated that increasing clay content above 3 wt.% effectively reduces the crystallinity of LDPE-MMT composites through the suppression effect. The tensile strength of LDPE increased gradually with an increased content of MMT nanoclay and the maximum value of 16.89 N/mm2 was obtained at 10 wt.% MMT content. This value represents a 40.87% increase relative to the tensile strength of the pristine LDPE. Barrier properties of LDPE and LDPE-MMT nanoclay composites were assessed by examining the permeability with respect to oxygen and water vapor. As the content of MMT nanoclay was increased to 10 wt.%, the permeability of the nanocomposite films to oxygen and water vapor notably decreased to 42.8% and 26.2%, respectively.

Keywords

Barrier PropertyFood PackagingLow-densityMechanicalMontmorillonite NanoclayOpticalThermal
Type
Article
Information
Clays and Clay Minerals , Volume 65 , Issue 6 , December 2017 , pp. 387 - 397
Copyright
Copyright © Clay Minerals Society 2017

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