Mechanical and Barrier Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Modified with Carbon Nanotubes and Zinc Oxide

A solution blending technique was employed to form a nanocomposite film of polyvinyl alcohol modified with carbon nanotube and zinc oxide (CNT/ZnO). The film was characterized using a tensile testing machine, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, a contact angle device, and barrier property measurement. When the CNT/ZnO content was 1.2 phr, the results from mechanical property and water vapor permeation tests showed that the nanocomposite film had good tensile strength and water resistance. Moreover, CNT/ZnO improved the hydrophobicity of the film. CNT/ZnO/can improve the performance of PVA and is a good nanofiller of PVA. The results of this research might have the opportunity to be used as packaging film materials in the future.