EFFECTS OF GRAPHENE OXIDE ADDITION ON MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF EVOH FILMS

摘要

Currently, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is one of the oxygen barrier materials most used for food packaging. The addition of graphene oxide nanosheets to the EVOH matrix is employed to improve their mechanical and barrier properties. In this work, films of EVOH-based composites reinforced with graphene oxide were prepared by melt extrusion, using a twin screw extruder machine and blown extrusion process. The graphene oxide was prepared via chemical oxidation of natural graphite and then was exfoliated into nanosheets using the sonochemical method. The composite films samples were characterized using FTIR and DSC analysis. In addition, their mechanical properties were also determined.