Tailoring polymer blends and nanocomposites to tune the barrier properties /
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(Published version)
Date
2008
Authors
Shelat, Kinnari,
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thesis
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Abstract
High performance flexible polymer packaging is an integral part in the supply of a wide range of products, such as foods, pharmaceuticals, electronics, etc. and it plays a critical role in protection, preservation, material handling, food safety, human health and efficient delivery. However, not all polymer materials are inherently impermeable to the gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and organic materials. Therefore, in order to function as efficient barrier packaging materials, they must be engineered at a molecular level to inhibit the permeants. The transport of penetrant molecules through the polymeric materials is essentially determined by two factors: (i) potential capacity of the polymer materials to sorb the permeant; (ii) the ability of the permeant molecules to diffuse through the polymer materials. In general the barrier characteristics of any specific polymer depend on both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The intrinsic factors are related to the chemical structure and functionality, chain stiffness, organization, orientation of functional groups, crystallinity, branching, free volume, cohesive energy density, etc. The principal extrinsic factors include temperature and humidity conditions to which the polymer is exposed.
This thesis is presented in eight chapters. The first chapter describes fundamentals of permeability of the polymers, blends and nanocomposites; and an appraisal of earlier work from literature with a focus on different techniques, barrier polymers, nanocomposites and effect of different morphology on the performance of barrier films for various applications. Factors affecting permeability of polymers such as chemical structure, functionality and orientation have been discussed. The aim and scope of the present project are illustrated. The second chapter contains detailed working principle, testing conditions, sample preparation and mixing techniques used. Details of the conventional techniques such as DSC, TGA, DMA, physical testing, contact angle measurement and rheology are described. The details of the specialized techniques such as micro-TA for spatial distribution of components in multiphase systems; and OX-TRAN®, PERMATRAN® for the measurement of oxygen and water vapor permeability have also been discussed.
School/Discipline
University of South Australia. Ian Wark Research Institute
Ian Wark Research Institute
Ian Wark Research Institute
Dissertation Note
Thesis (PhDAppliedScience)--University of South Australia, 2008.
Provenance
Copyright 2008 Kinnari Shelat.
Description
xxvi 231 leaves :
illustrations.
Includes bibliographic references.
illustrations.
Includes bibliographic references.
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506 0#$fstar $2Unrestricted online access