Development, Characterization and Evaluation of Low Density Polyethylene Based Nanocomposite Films for Food Packaging

The effect of compatibilizer (1.6-18.4%), nanoclay (0.6-7.4%) and thickness of film (35-120 pm) on food packaging related properties such as oxygen transmission rate (OTR), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), tensile strength and percent elongation of low density polyethylene (LDPE) -based nanocomposite films was studied using response surface methodology. XRD showed 73.5% increase in interlayer distance and SEM/TEM exhibited different types of dispersion structure of nanoclay in the developed films. A minimum OTR value of 2740 cc/m(2)/day/atm, minimum WVTR value of 2.68 g/m(2)/day and maximum tensile strength value of 10.62 MPa was recorded in the optimally developed nanocomposite films. Treatment having 5% compatibilizer, 2% nanoclay and 100 mu m thickness of nanocomposite films showed uniform distribution of silicate platelets in the polymer matrix, better barrier and strength characteristics than other treatments.