Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Barrier and Mechanical Properties of EVOH Nanocomposite film Incorporating with Plasticizer

Abstract

In this study, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) nanocomposite was prepared by adding nano zinc oxide (nano-ZnO) as a filling agent and glycerol as a plasticizer. In the solution mixing method, usually a plasticizer is used to prevent the film from becoming brittle. However, adding a plasticizer also has adverse effects on the film. Examples of such effects include; decreased barrier properties (water vapor permeability and oxygen permeability) and reduced mechanical properties (tensile strength (TS)). The goal of this study was, to reduce the adverse effects of the plasticizer on film's matrix by adding nanoparticles. Three concentrations (0%, 1%, and 2%) of Nano-ZnO were used in order to find the optimum concentration of glycerol (30%, 40%, and 50%) with the least significant adverse effect. Incorporating glycerol reduced the barrier and the tensile strength properties in matrix films, while, adding nano-ZnO improved barrier, tensile strength properties and reduced adverse effects of the glycerol. FE- image analysis was used to confirm the adverse effects of glycerol on matrix film.