Evaluation of PPC Based Nanocomposite for Biomedical and Food Packaging Applications

Environmental friendly and biodegradable nanocomposite (NC) has been developed by efficient intercalation of poly propylene carbonate (PPC) into the interlayer space of cloisite 20B (C-20B) for biomedical and food packaging applications. The physicochemical and structural characterization was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Thermal stability, mechanical property and anti-water sorption capacity of PPC and nanocomposite were scrutinized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), nanoindentation analyzer and thin film diffusion analyzer, respectively. Nanocomposite showed very high thermal decomposition temperature (Td50%) and 10 °C higher glass transition temperature when compared to pure PPC. In addition the nanocomposite exposes high elastic modulus, hardness and anti-water sorption property as compared to PPC. Therefore, this nanocomposite can be used in biomedical and food packaging applications. Keywords: Poly propylene carbonate, cloisite 20B, nanocomposite, thermal stability, hardness, modulus, water absorption