Migration of Aluminum and Silicon from PET/Clay Nanocomposite Bottles into Acidic Food Simulant

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/clay nanocomposite samples were prepared by melt blending PET and Cloisite 20A nanoparticles. A stretch blow‐moulding machine was used to produce bottles from neat PET and PET nanocomposite. Tests were performed on the migration of aluminum and silicon from PET nanocomposite bottles into acidic food simulant. The samples were stored at room temperature (about 25°C) and 45°C for time durations ranging from 7 to 90 days. A specific surface of sheets (prepared from PET/clay nanocomposite) immersed in acidic food simulant, and two‐sided migration of Al and Si was investigated. According to X‐ray diffraction analysis, the nanoclays show intercalated structure in the PET matrix. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy micrographs displayed both intercalation and exfoliation morphology for PET/clay nanocomposites. Inductively coupled plasma was used to quantify amounts of Al and Si that had migrated into the acidic food simulant. It was observed that the migration process is dependent on storage time and temperature, and the molar ratio of aluminum and silicon in the acidic aqueous solution (Al/Si)aq to the ratio in the solid phase of prepared nanocomposites (Al/Si)solid was about 23% higher in the samples stored at 45°C. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Tests were performed on the migration of aluminum and silicon from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposite bottles into acidic food simulant. Transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy micrographs displayed both intercalation and exfoliation morphology for PET/clay nanocomposites. The results of inductively coupled plasma test indicated that the nanoparticles could migrate from PET nanocomposite bottles into an acidic food‐simulating solution. Concentrations of aluminum and silicon in the acetic acid solution increased with increments of time and temperature.