Increasing the Gas Barrier Properties of Polyethylene Foils by Coating with Poly(methyl acrylate)-Grafted Montmorillonite Nanosheets

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foils were coated with a thin film of polymer-grafted Montmorillonite (MMT) nanosheets, which form a barrier against gas diffusion due to their unique brick-and-mortar arrangement. The MMT nanosheets were grafted with poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), a soft and flexible polymer. Already very thin films of this nanocomposite could reduce gas permeability significantly. The impact of the topology of the surface-grafted polymer on gas permeability was also studied. It was found that grafting MMT nanosheets with a mixture of star-shaped and linear PMA and with PMA that is cross-linked via hydrogen bonds further decrease gas permeability. The presented strategy is quick and simple and allows for the easy formation of effective gas barrier coatings for LDPE foils, as used in food packaging.