Layer-by-layer assembly of layered double hydroxide/rubber multilayer films with excellent gas barrier property

Rubber nanocomposites with high gas barrier property have extensive application prospects in sealing and packing industry, while developing a novel and cost-effective rubber-based material with low gas permeability and good mechanical property still remains a challenge. Herein, we designed and fabricated an excellent gas barrier film by using polyvinyl pyrrolidone modified ultrathin layered double hydroxide nanoplatelets (U-mLDH) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as building blocks. The resultant (U-mLDH/NBR)30 film displays significantly decreased (reduced by 92.2% compared with NBR film) oxygen transmission rate with 0.626 cm3 m-2 day-1 atm-1, and much lower relative permeability in comparison with reported rubber composites. The improved gas barrier performance is ascribed to the prolonged passage of oxygen molecules and the decreased free space arising from large aspect ratio of U-mLDH and good interfacial compatibility. In addition, the (U-mLDH/NBR)30 film also possesses high thermal stability and satisfactory mechanical property, which would guarantee its practical applications.