Abstract:
This study aimed to prepare zein/Montmorillonite (M
MT) composite films by two
methods: (1) An ultrasonic bath, and (2) A high pow
er ultrasonic probe. Then, the
structural, thermal, mechanical, and barrier proper
ties of the obtained composites were
evaluated. According to the X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
patterns, the composite films
prepared by the first and second methods had microc
omposite and exfoliated structures,
respectively. Based on the results of the statistic
al analysis, the clay dispersion method
and Montmorillonite (MMT) content significantly aff
ected the mechanical, barrier, and
thermal properties of the composite films. The resu
lts showed that mechanical and water
vapor barrier properties of the nanocomposites were
improved in the presence of small
amounts (up to 3%) of MMT, while increased montmori
llonite percentage in the
microcomposite films weakened the mechanical, barri
er, and thermal properties of these
films. Therefore, the use of high power sonication
is a suitable method for producing
protein-based nanocomposites with an exfoliated str
ucture.
Keyword:
Barrier properties, Microcomposite, Nanocomposite,
Ultrasonic bath, Ultrasonic. Probe.
