High performance Nylon12/clay nanocomposites for potential packaging applications

The barrier property enhancement of polymers is presently a matter of great concern for the manufacturing of food packaging and films with excellency in moisture and gas resistance. The objective of this work was to enhance the barrier performance of Nylon12/kaolin clay nanocomposites against water vapors and oxygen. Kaolin clays of different aspect ratios were utilized for nanocomposites manufacturing. Nanocomposites were prepared in twin screw extruder operating at 160–200°C, with an increment of 10°C, and at 110 rev/min. The loading of clay was varied from 1 to 5 wt%. Scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffraction characterizations were used to investigate the morphological properties of nanocomposites. The transmission electron microscopy analysis was used to confirm the dispersion of clays in Nylon12 matrix. Enhancement in barrier performance of nanocomposite was noticed at 5 wt% clay loading. Oxygen barrier of nanocomposites was observed to be more prominent than water vapors owing to the presence of hydrogen bonding in Nylon12 structure which restricted oxygen passage. Experimental barrier values of nanocomposites were also fitted on barrier models namely Nielsen, Cussler model, and Gusev‐Lutsi model.