Graphenic Nanocomposite Barrier Films

Abstract

The use of modern graphenic materials for improving oxygen barriers in food packaging and anti-corrosion barriers in coatings is explored by compounding and casting graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) with polyethylene (PE) and epoxy (EP). The GNP / PE films show comparable oxygen transmission rates to the neat PE films, indicating that further processing will be necessary to realize the desired enhancements. Early corrosion tests indicate that the GNP / EP coatings are providing more protection than the neat EP coatings on steel. Experiments to expand on these results are underway.