Synthesis and properties of corn zein/montmorillonite nanocomposite films

The objectives of this study were to apply fabrication techniques for the zein montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposite films and characterize the obtained nanocomposite films. Zein MMT nanocomposite films were successfully produced from solvent casting and blown extrusion methods. The two methods could mix the zein MMT resulting in partially exfoliated nanocomposite structures according to X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal resistant of the zein nanocomposite films fabricated from both methods improved as the MMT content increased. However, the mechanical and barrier properties showed non-linear relationships with the MMT loadings. The impact of MMT on properties of zein films strongly depended on the preparation techniques. This can be the good starting point to further study in depth insight of the controllable MMT rearrangement in zein films which will remarkably improve zein film properties for packaging applications.