Polyolefin films with outstanding barrier properties based on one-step coassembled nanocoatings

Polyolefin (PO) films are commonly used for food packaging and other consumer applications. However, while polyolefins are good water vapor barriers, they are highly permeable to oxygen. To resolve this issue, montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets were one-step coassembled with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) ch...

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Published inAdvanced composites and hybrid materials Vol. 5; no. 2; pp. 1067 - 1077
Main Authors LaChance, Anna Marie, Hou, Zaili, Farooqui, Maria M., Carr, Shantal A., Serrano, Jordan M., Odendahl, Catherine E., Hurley, Megan E., Morrison, Tessa E., Kubachka, Jacqueline L., Samuels, Nia T., Barrett, Allyson T., Zhao, Yajing, DeGennaro, Alysha M., Camara, Massita H., Sun, Luyi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cham Springer International Publishing 01.06.2022
Subjects
Ceramics
Chemistry and Materials Science
Composites
Glass
Materials Engineering
Materials Science
Natural Materials
Original Research
Polymer Sciences
Polyethylene
Polyvinyl alcohol
Nanocoating
Montmorillonite
Polypropylene
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Summary:Polyolefin (PO) films are commonly used for food packaging and other consumer applications. However, while polyolefins are good water vapor barriers, they are highly permeable to oxygen. To resolve this issue, montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets were one-step coassembled with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chains via facile and scalable dip coating. In a one-step coassembly process, MMT nanosheets are aligned to form a nacre-like structure with PVA chains by gravity-induced shear as the aqueous coating dispersion flows and subsequently dries on the substrate surface. The surface properties of the PO substrates were modified using high-power corona discharge treatment. The resulting nanocoating layer had vastly improved barrier properties, especially against oxygen, thanks to the highly ordered nacre-like structure of the assembled MMT nanosheets creating a tortuous path for gas transport. The structure of the nanocoatings was verified via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). This nanocoating technique has unique implications for thin film vapor barrier technology such as food packaging materials, biomedical devices, and construction materials. Graphical abstract Exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets were coassembled with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder in a one-step dip-coating system.
ISSN:2522-0128
2522-0136
DOI:10.1007/s42114-022-00421-6