Effect of clay concentration on morphology and properties of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose films

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers 2013-07, Vol.96 (1), p.57-63
• Main Authors: Mondal, Dibyendu, Bhowmick, Biplab, Mollick, Md. Masud R., Maity, Dipanwita, Mukhopadhyay, Asis, Rana, Dipak, Chattopadhyay, Dipankar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: absorption; Applied sciences; Bentonite - chemistry; clay; Composites; Exact sciences and technology; Food Packaging; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose; Hypromellose Derivatives; Mechanical properties; Methylcellulose - analogs & derivatives; Methylcellulose - chemistry; Moisture absorption and water vapor permeability; nanoclays; Nanocomposites; Nanocomposites - chemistry; permeability; Polymer industry, paints, wood; relative humidity; Technology of polymers; Tensile Strength; thermal stability; Thermogravimetry; transmission electron microscopy; water vapor; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2013.03.064

•HPMC/MMT nanocomposites are developed.•XRD and TEM establish partly exfoliated and intercalated HPMC/MMT nanocomposites.•Mechanical and thermal properties of nanocomposites are improved.•Moisture absorption and WVTR of HPMC film is reduced with loading of MMT.•Optical clarity of HPMC film is almost unaffected in presence of MMT. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite films are prepared by solution intercalation method. Mechanical, thermal, moisture absorption, optical clarity and water vapor permeability of HPMC/MMT nanocomposite films are measured. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) results establish formation of partially intercalated and partially exfoliated HPMC/MMT nanocomposite films. In presence of MMT, the tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break of HPMC films are improved. The thermal stability of HPMC/MMT nanocomposites is better than pure HPMC. The moisture absorption of HPMC film measured in 75% of constant relative humidity is reduced with loading of MMT. Optical clarity of HPMC film is almost unaffected in presence of MMT. Water vapor permeability of HPMC decreases in presence of nanoclay due to increasing tortuous path for diffusion.