Bio-hybrid Nanocomposite Roll-to-roll Coatings for Fiber-based Materials and Plastics - Natural Polymers, Biopolymers, Biomaterials, and Their Composites, Blends, and IPNs - page 203

Figure 6. The SEM images of cross-section and surface topography of roll-to-roll coatings. Uncoated
OPP film (a and b) and pectin coated OPP film; pectin thickness ~1 µm (c and d).

CoNClusioN
As a conclusion, montmorillonite nanoclay was successfully dispersed in aqueous
polysaccharide solutions using ultrasonication and high pressure fluidization. Nano-
composite coatings and films showed improved barrier properties against oxygen,
water vapor and UV-light transmission. Materials were also totally impermeable to
grease. The developed bio-hybrid nanocomposite materials can be potentially exploit-
ed as safe and environmentally sound alternative for synthetic barrier packaging ma-
terials. The SUTCO surface treatment concept was used for up-scaling the production
of pectin coatings. Pectin coating improved the smoothness as compared to uncoated
OPP film surface.

KeyWords

• Food packaging

• montmorillonite

• Nanoclays

• Plasma-activated

• ultrasonication