Effects of mica modification with ethylene‐vinyl acetate wax on the water vapor barrier and mechanical properties of poly‐(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) nanocomposite films

Abstract

Poly-(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is one of the most popular raw materials for degradable plastic films because of its good biodegradability, ductility, and processability. However, the application of this material is limited by its unsatisfactory water vapor barrier property. This study aims to improve the water vapor barrier and mechanical properties of PBAT films by introducing mica modified by ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer waxes (EVAmica). The EVA-mica nanosheets showed a more uniform dispersion in the PBAT films than the mica nanosheets. The PBAT/EVA-mica films containing 2% EVA-mica demonstrated outstanding crystallinity, water vapor barrier, and mechanical properties compared with the pure PBAT films. Results showed a 20.23% increase in crystallinity, an 80.09% reduction in water vapor permeability, a 26.82% increase in tensile strength, and a 9.10% increase in tear strength. The enhanced water vapor barrier and mechanical properties of the PBAT/ EVA-mica nanocomposite films are favorable for their future application as biodegradable films. K E Y W O R D S biodegradable, clay, composites, films, mechanical properties 1 | INTRODUCTION Approximately 50% of the 35 million tons of polyethylene resin produced annually are used to make plastic films, the recycling, and disposal of which has resulted in tremendous pressure on the ecological environment. 1 Many countries and organizations have implemented strategies and policies to reduce single-use plastic films. 2 An

Scalable methods for directional assembly of fillers in polymer composites: Creating pathways for improving material properties

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Chemical and Mechanical Characterization of Unprecedented Transparent Epoxy–Nanomica Composites—New Model Insights for Mechanical Properties

“…Even if micas do not expand in water due to the strong electrostatic interaction between the layer’s negative charge and the interlayer K + ions [ 19 ], to improve the dispersion and compatibilization with the polymeric matrix, organic (i.e., with ethyl-vinyl-acetate [ 20 ] or diacetone-acrylamide [ 21 ]), organometallic (i.e., with triethylaluminum [ 22 ]) or inorganic (i.e., exchanging with metal cations [ 23 , 24 ]) modifications together with the addition of different coupling agents (i.e., maleic anhydride [ 25 ] or silane [ 26 ]) have been investigated.…”

Preparation of AKD‐coupled mica and research on the modification to poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly(propylene carbonate) composite films

“…The organic layer can develop on the surface of mica through the use of coupling agent, which is effective in improving the dispersion of mica and the compatibility with polymer matrix. By treating mica with EVA wax, Wang et al 16 enhanced the gas barrier properties of PBAT blended films by 80.1% and the mechanical strength by 26.8%. Xia et al 17 prepared PBAT/PPC/mica blend films and found that the mechanical and gas barrier properties of films containing mica were greatly improved after stretching treatment.…”