This work deals with polypropylene (PP) nanocomposite films containing 1 wt. (%) bentonite clay organically modified with national technology (APO). Maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) were used as compatibilizing agents. Nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation in a flat film extruder. An investigation was made of the influence from the type and content of compatibilizer and type of polypropylene on the morphology, mechanical properties and barrier properties to water vapor of these films. X-ray diffraction data show that while the nanocomposite morphology was affected by the type of compatibilizer, it was relatively insensitive to its content. The morphologies and barrier properties to water vapor of the nanocomposites prepared with the two polypropylenes (PP H401 and PP H07D-00) were similar. However, except for the heat sealing properties, those prepared with PP H07D-00 showed better mechanical properties. The transparency of P715AMAPO nanocomposite was similar to that of the P715AM matrix. The results indicated that PP H07D-00 nanocomposite films compatibilized with 15% PP-g-AM and containing 1% APO organoclay may be promising for packaging applications.
Nanocomposite films; organoclay; polypropylene; compatibilizer
