In the present study PVOH (polyvinyl Alcohol) has been used as the modifier for kaolin for its application as the barrier coating on the surface of paper. Food packaging is the essential part of nowadays lifestyle. Food package requires protection from the environmental factors like oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and moisture. Synthetic polymers like PVOH, EVOH (ethyl vinyl alchohol) showed high barrier property against the oxygen permeability. Kaolinite (Al_2Si_2O_5(OH)_4) is a 1:1 phyllosilicate clay which consists of an octahedral layer of gibbsite and a tetrahedral layer of silicon oxide. Our study involves the synthesis of nano -kaolin by pre-treatment of native kaolin with DMSO and further modifies with PVOH. Modified nano-kaolin was analyzed using DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering), FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra), XRD (X-ray Diffraction) and FESEM (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy) for the particle size distribution, functional properties, crystalline structure and morphology respectively. PVOH modified kaolin with different size distribution may provide the high barrier against the permeability of oxygen by providing more tortuous pathway to oxygen molecules.
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