Thermal and barrier properties of poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) incorporated with zeolite doped potassium ion for packaging film

Abstract In this research, the works were focused on development of film packaging of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) incorporated with modified zeolite using (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane. PBAT composites were compounded by melt mixing using twin screw extrusion then molded into film by cast film extrusion process. Effects of zeolite 13X at 1 wt% and zeolite doped potassium ion (K+) on thermal properties, permeability of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor) and also absorption of ethylene gas of PBAT composites films have been studied. Typically, zeolite would act as a nucleating agent. Therefore, adding zeolite would increase the degree of crystallinity of PBAT. Comparing zeolite with and without cation exchange, the degree of crystallinity in film tended to increase for the one doped with potassium ion. Either zeolite with or without potassium exchange had no impact on thermal stability of composite films. Gas permeation of PBAT/zeolite film possessed lower permeation of oxygen and carbon dioxide whereas the water vapor transmission showed relatively higher rate than the neat PBAT. After cation exchange with zeolite, the permeation of oxygen and carbon dioxide has reduced 21.04% and 21.90% respectively but the effect of K+ exchange had no effect on water vapor transmission compared with PBAT. Film of PBAT and zeolite doped with cation could absorb ethylene gas more than the one with zeolite.