Synthesis and characterization of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)/bio inorganic modified LiAl LDH nanocomposites

Conventional microcompounding process has been applied to prepare new type of Poly (ethylene terephthalate)/aspartic acid modified LiAl layer double hydroxide (PET/LDH-ASP) nanocomposites by using recycled PET and aspartic acid modified LiAl LDHs. Negatively charged aspartic acid has been intercalated within the gallery spaces of layered double hydroxides through ion exchange method. Those modified LiAl LDH characterized by wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), Fourier transform IR (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Furthermore, morphology of LDH dispersion in nanocomposite was assessed by using WAXRD and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The mechanical, thermal, and gas barrier characteristics of the PET nanocomposites were studied by using several characterization techniques. Due to the better dispersion of LDH, the higher barrier properties and the better mechanical properties were also obtained for nanocomposites as compared to neat PET films. PET nanocomposites films have shown an excellent transparency.