Bio-nanocomposite films reinforced with organo-modified layered double hydroxides: Preparation, morphology and properties

• The basal spacing of OLDH was enlarged to 4.45 nm.
• PBAT bio-nanocomposite films with exfoliated OLDH were prepared.
• The properties of OLDH/PBAT bio-nanocomposite films were improved.
• The results prompt the application of bio-nanocomposite films for packaging.

Bio-nanocomposite films based on organo-modified layered double hydroxides (OLDH)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephtalate) (PBAT) were prepared with solution casting method. The morphology and structural characterizations on the OLDH and OLDH/PBAT bio-nanocomposite films were performed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physical properties of the films were determined by thermal, mechanical and optical analysis, and contact angle testing and water vapor transmission (WVT) measurement. The XRD results show that the basal spacing of the layered double hydroxides (LDH) was increased from 0.88 nm to 4.45 nm after the modification by long-chain lauryl alcohol phosphoric acid ester potassium (MAPK). The exfoliated OLDH were well dispersed in the PBAT matrix. The crystallization temperature of the OLDH/PBAT bio-nanocomposite films was significantly higher than the base matrix. The hydrophilic, optical, tensile and water vapor barrier properties of the films were obviously improved by the addition of OLDH with low content (1%). The results of this study would be useful for investigating the potential to develop the eco-friendly packaging films.