Effect of Type of Surfactants and Organoclay Loading on the Mechanical Properties of EVOH/Clay Nanocomposite Blown Films

EVOH/clay nanocomposite films were prepared by using four types of surfactants to treat surface of clay because the surfactants were expected to affect the degree of clay dispersion in the EVOH matrix, which would in turn affect the properties of film. The nanocomposite films that contained the single alkyl tail with two repeating units of oxyethylene surfactants or single alkyl tail surfactant showed higher tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation at break than those with 15 repeating units of oxyethylene surfactants or those with double alkyl tail surfactant.