Development and characterization of PET/Fish gelatin-nanoclay composite/LDPE laminate

A three-layer laminate fi lm was developed with the following structure: polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/fi sh gelatin (FG)-nanoclay composite/low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The FG-nanoclay composite material functioned as the oxygen barrier layer and demonstrated comparable oxygen barrier properties when compared with a similar laminate utilizing ethylene vinyl alcohol as the barrier layer at a relative humidity (RH) of up to 50%. The introduction of nanometersized fi ller clay into the FG matrix lowered the oxygen permeability (OP) because of the tortuosity effect of the clay particles. In addition, the FG-nanoclay composite fi lm exhibited bond strengths similar to both LDPE and PET. The hydrophilic nature of FG signifi cantly increases OP under high (>50%) RH conditions. However, this new FG laminate fi lm could be a possible alternative for packaging designers desiring a more sustainable packaging material for low-RH (<50%) applications.