Effects of the processing methods on the gas permeability of PLA/Sepiolite thin films: solution casting versus thermo compression

• Main Authors: Moazeni, Nima, Mohamad, Zurina, Dehbari, Nazila
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/67135/; https://www.scientific.net/AMM.695.187

A biodegradable poly-lactic acid (PLA)/Sepiolite nanocomposite films were prepared by the thermo-compression and solvent-casting methods, and barrier properties (water-vapor and gas barrier) were evaluated. By introducing sepiolite into PLA, the properties of nanocomposite films improved until a certain amount (1.5% wt). By increasing sepiolite loading, nanoparticles tented to agglomerate and gas permeability (GP) decreased. According to the results, the nanocomposite films prepared by the thermo-compression method were more brittle but strong due to the formation of more crystals; while solvent-casted films were more ductile due to the presence of solvent, which may act as a plasticizer, as evidenced by the results of the GP.