Physical and mechanical properties of gelatin-clay nanocomposite

Nanoclay particles were included in a gelatin matrix and gelatin-clay nanocomposites with different clay levels were produced, successfully. Mechanical properties of gelatin-clay nanocomposite films were measured using a texture analyzer by tensile test. Water vapor permeability, solubility, opacity, and color parameters were also determined. In the absence of nanoclay water vapor permeability was 0.86 g mm/kPa m(2) h and with addition of 18% nanoclay it decreased to 0.42 g mm/kPa m(2) h. Tensile strength of films was directly proportional to clay content, while addition of clay caused a reduction in elongation and water vapor permeability of films. Nanoclay was able to improve some physical and mechanical properties of gelatin biofilms. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.