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Methylcellulose (MC)-based films were prepared by casting from its 1% aqueous solution containing 0.5% vegetable oil, 0.25% glycerol, and 0.025% Tween 80. Puncture strength (PS), puncture deformation (PD), viscoelasticity coefficient, and water vapor permeability (WVP) were found to be 147 N/mm, 3.46 mm, 41%, and 6.34 g.mm/m(2).day.kPa, respectively. Aqueous nanocellulose (NC) solution (0.1-1%) was incorporated into the MC-based formulation, and it was found that PS was improved (117%) and WVP was decreased (26%) significantly. Films containing 0.25% NC were found to be the optimum. Then films were exposed to gamma radiation (0.5-50 kGy), and it was revealed that mechanical properties of the films were slightly decreased after irradiation, whereas barrier properties were further improved with a decrease of WVP to 28.8% at 50 kGy. Molecular interactions due to incorporation of NC were supported by FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the NC-containing films were improved, confirmed by TGA and DSC. Crystalline peaks appeared due to NC addition, found by XRD. Micrographs of films containing NC were investigated by SEM.

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Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) nanocomposites were prepared via melt compounding using a twin‐screw extruder at 265°C. Three different types of organomodified clay were melt compounded with PET: a commercial ammonium‐modified silicate clay (Cloisite 30B) and specially prepared thermally stable phosphonium‐ and imidazolium‐modified montmorillonites. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize and evaluate the quality of the nanocomposites. To obtain quantitative evaluation of the dispersion level in nanocomposites, statistical analysis of TEM micrographs was performed using a dispersion parameter, D0.1, based on free‐path spacing measurements. The results showed that the ammonium surfactant yielded the best intercalation results in nanocomposites. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers

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