Abstract

Nanocomposite films based on poly (lactic) acid (PLA) and organically nanoclay Perkalite were prepared by solvent casting method. The incorporation of Perkalite clay in PLA film was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Morphology of PLA/Perkalite film was investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The gas barrier properties of PLA nanocomposite films were determined through oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) measurement. Results from FTIR analysis indicates that Perkalite clay was incorporated in PLA film. SEM images show that dispersion of Perkalite particle on the PLA matrix was good with the additional of clay up to 3 pph (parts of clay per hundred part of PLA). The maximum reduction in OTR and WVTR of that nanocomposite film with Perkalite loading of 3 pph are 76% and 37%, respectively compared with neat PLA film. This proves that gas barrier property of PLA film is improved significantly with incorporation of Perkalite clay. The PLA/Perkalite nanocomposite film is a promising as green based packaging materials.

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