Makhado, ERay, SS2016-06-272016-06-272015-05Makhado, E. and Ray, S.S. 2015. Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites. Advanced Science, Engineering and Medicine, 7(5), 351-3602164-6627https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277028098_Mechanical_Barrier_and_Antimicrobial_Properties_of_Biodegradable_Polye-caprolactone_Nanocompositeshttp://hdl.handle.net/10204/8593Copyright: 2015 American Scientific Publishers. Due to copyright restrictions, the attached PDF file only contains the abstract of the full text item. For access to the full text item, please consult the publisher's website. The definitive version of the work is published in the Advanced Science, Engineering and Medicine, 7(5), 351-360Environmentally friendly antimicrobial packaging materials are of great interest because they can delay microbial growth on the surface of foods, thus enhancing shelf-life. In this study, we synthesized a new type of organically modified clay platelets with strong antimicrobial properties and incorporated them into a biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix using the melt-blending technique. Structural analysis of the composites using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the intercalated silicate layers were well-dispersed at low clay loadings, while agglomeration of silicate layers was observed at higher clay loadings. Tensile testing showed improvements in modulus and yield strength of composites with clay loadings when compared to those without clay loadings. The thermomechanical stability of neat PCL also increased after the formation of the composites. Composites with increased clay loading showed improved oxygen gas and water vapor barrier properties. Modified disk diffusion tests indicated that organically modified clay strongly inhibited microbial growth, while composite films did not have the antimicrobial potential to inhibit microbial growth. In summary, PCL/clay composites were shown to have the potential to develop improved barrier packaging materials; however, increasing the antimicrobial activity on composite surfaces is needed for the development of PCL-based advanced packaging materials.enPoly(e-caprolactone)Silver decorated organoclayCompositesMechanical propertiesBarrier propertiesAntimicrobial activityMechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocompositesArticleMakhado, E., & Ray, S. (2015). Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8593Makhado, E, and SS Ray "Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites." (2015) http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8593Makhado E, Ray S. Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites. 2015; http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8593.TY - Article AU - Makhado, E AU - Ray, SS AB - Environmentally friendly antimicrobial packaging materials are of great interest because they can delay microbial growth on the surface of foods, thus enhancing shelf-life. In this study, we synthesized a new type of organically modified clay platelets with strong antimicrobial properties and incorporated them into a biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL) matrix using the melt-blending technique. Structural analysis of the composites using X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the intercalated silicate layers were well-dispersed at low clay loadings, while agglomeration of silicate layers was observed at higher clay loadings. Tensile testing showed improvements in modulus and yield strength of composites with clay loadings when compared to those without clay loadings. The thermomechanical stability of neat PCL also increased after the formation of the composites. Composites with increased clay loading showed improved oxygen gas and water vapor barrier properties. Modified disk diffusion tests indicated that organically modified clay strongly inhibited microbial growth, while composite films did not have the antimicrobial potential to inhibit microbial growth. In summary, PCL/clay composites were shown to have the potential to develop improved barrier packaging materials; however, increasing the antimicrobial activity on composite surfaces is needed for the development of PCL-based advanced packaging materials. DA - 2015-05 DB - ResearchSpace DP - CSIR KW - Poly(e-caprolactone) KW - Silver decorated organoclay KW - Composites KW - Mechanical properties KW - Barrier properties KW - Antimicrobial activity LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za PY - 2015 SM - 2164-6627 T1 - Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites TI - Mechanical, barrier and antimicrobial properties of biodegradable poly(e-caprolactone) nanocomposites UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/8593 ER -