Dispersion of modified layered double hydroxides in Poly(ethylene terephthalate) by High Energy Ball Milling for food packaging applications

Intercalation compounds of Layered Double Hydroxide (LDH) modified with different organic molecules were prepared via co-precipitation method obtaining very small and disordered crystallites. The obtained organic–inorganic hybrids were dispersed in Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) by High Energy Ball Milling (HEBM) and a good delamination and dispersion of the organic–inorganic hybrids in the polymer phase was achieved for all PET–LDH composites. Structural, thermal and oxygen barrier properties analyses were conducted. The PET–LDH composites showed a similar thermal degradation trend of pure PET, indicating a high thermal stability. All the composites showed oxygen diffusion and permeability coefficients lower than that for pure PET, due to the presence of highly dispersed clay platelets. These composites can be considered candidates for food packaging applications.