Synthesis and characterisation of polypropylene nanocomposites for food packaging material

Abstract

This paper presents the synthesis and characterisation of polypropylene nanocomposites (PPNCs) for food packaging. Melt intercalation synthesis was used to blend polypropylene (PP) CPV340 grade, nanoclay (NC) Cloisite® 20A type, and G-3003 maleic-anhydride-grafted-polypropylene (MAPP) as the compatibilizer. Six sets of blends and composite samples were synthesized. The samples produced were characterised for mechanical, thermal, and physical properties with different techniques. Tensile strength displayed enhancement of composites at low clay contents; thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that all composites with clay contents had a relatively higher thermal stability compared to pure polypropylene; scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs exposed the dispersion of NC in PP matrix as uniform, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the observation of intercalated structures in the SEM micrographs. Finally, it was noticed that the strength, weight, and thermal stability of PP composites are influenced by the degree or concentration of its crystallinity. In conclusion, the new material can also be applicable in sandwich car body, ceilings in houses, dielectric in electric cables, and insulated panel in refrigerated vehicles or trains.