LPDE/Alumina Based Bio-Nano Composite Materials for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Bio nano-materials are playing an important part in a number of applications due to their inherent eco-friendly advantages since the last few decades. Most of the materials used in food packaging are not degradable material, which do not meet increasing demands in society for sustainability and environmental safety. Thus, numerous polymers have been applied to develop biodegradable food packaging materials. However, the use of polymers has been limited due to the poor mechanical and barrier properties. These properties can be enhanced by adding reinforcing nano-sized compounds or fillers to form composites. The current research work is based on LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) reinforced with nano alumina particles. The bio-nano composite material has been prepared by melt intercalation method. The microstructure is obtained by SEM analysis and tensile test are carried out to check with their tensile property. The results showed that by adding 1% of alumina nano particles in LDPE there is an increase in tensile strength and elongation of bio-nano composite materials.