The TiO₂–Clay-LDPE Nanocomposite Packaging Films: Investigation on the Structure and Physicomechanical Properties

Abstract

The role of nanoclays and TiO₂ nanoparticle loadings were investigated on low density polyethylene crystalline structure, in addition to studying packaging film properties such as barrier, thermal and mechanical properties. The polymer crystal study indicated for the orthorhombic crystal phase and about 20% lower degree of crystallinity for nanocomposites containing more than 2 wt.% TiO₂ nanoparticles. Based on the X-ray diffraction technique, the dispersion of nanoclays was improved to almost good degree of clay exfoliation with the company of 4 wt.% TiO₂ nanoparticles. In agreement with XRD results, the TEM morphological studies mainly suggest that TiO₂ has a helpful effect on nanoclay exfoliation. The increase in degradation temperature of nanocomposites may be attributed to the formation of inorganic char on polymer melt. The barrier properties of TiO₂/clay nanocomposite packaging films depend mainly on nanoclay loading with an unclear trend from TiO₂ nanoparticles. The increase in elastic modulus and the yield stress of nanocomposite films showed great effects on film mechanical properties by nanoclays.

Keywords:

• Low density polyethylene
• Nanoclay
• Nanocomposites
• Packaging film
• Titanium dioxide

Notes

*Parentheses show the standard deviations.