Preparation High Oxygen Barrier Nanocomposite Films Based on Low-Density Polyethylene/ Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol/ Nanoclay

In this study, high oxygen barrier nanocomposite films were prepared during melt blending of low-density polyethylene/ ethylene vinyl alcohol/ nanoclay/ polyethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (LDPE/ EVOH/ nanoclay/ LDPE-g-MA). Effect of each component presence was determined by using Box-Behnken experiment design methodology. For all the responses obtained, R2 was between 0.956 and 0.981 indicating a very good fitting of the experimental data with the response surface method (RSM) in the models. Oxygen transfer rate (OTR) results shown that addition of EVOH, compatibilizer and nano clay in formulations significantly decreases oxygen permeability. The experimental results showed that addition of 30 wt. % EVOH, 4 wt. % nanoclay, and 5 wt. % LDPE-g-MA to the LDPE matrix gave the best oxygen barrier properties. The crystallization behaviors of the samples and thermal analysis have been characterized by using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The mechanical properties were studied by a tensile machine