Synergistic effect of cellulose nanofiber and nanoclay as distributed phase in a polypropylene based nanocomposite system

Bich Nam Jung, Hyun Wook Jung, Dongho Kang, Gi Hong Kim, Jin Kie Shim

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    22 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Since the plastic-based multilayer films applied to food packaging are not recyclable, it is necessary to develop easily recyclable single materials. Herein, polypropylene (PP)-based cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/nanoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt-mixing using a fixed CNF content of 1 wt %, while the nanoclay content varied from 1 to 5 wt %. The optimum nanoclay content in the PP matrix was found to be 3 wt % (PCN3), while they exhibited synergistic effects as a nucleating agent. PCN3 exhibited the best mechanical properties, and the tensile and flexural moduli were improved by 51% and 26%, respectively, compared to PP. In addition, the oxygen permeability was reduced by 28%, while maintaining the excellent water vapor permeability of PP. The improvement in the mechanical and barrier properties of PP through the production of PP/CNF/nanoclay hybrid nanocomposites suggested their possible application in the field of food packaging.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article number2399
    Pages (from-to)1-15
    Number of pages15
    JournalPolymers
    Volume12
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2020 Oct

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    Funding: This work was supported by Korea Institute of Planning and Evaluation for Technology in Food, Agriculture, Forestry (IPET) through High Value-added Food Technology Development Program, funded by Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in South Korea (Project number: 318089-03).

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

    Keywords

    • Hybrid
    • Nanocomposites
    • Physical properties
    • Polymer-matrix composites (PCM)

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Chemistry
    • Polymers and Plastics

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