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Priolo MA, Holder KM, Greenlee SM, Grunlan JC.
ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2012 Oct 24;4(10):5529-33.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-3123, USA. [email protected]
Abstract
The ability to incorporate large-aspect-ratio vermiculite (VMT) clay into thin films fabricated using the layer-by-layer assembly techinique is reported for the first time. Thin films of branched polyethylenimine (PEI) and VMT were analyzed for their growth rate, clay composition, transparency, and gas barrier behavior. These films consist of >96 wt% clay, are >95% transparent, and, because of their nanobrick wall structure, exhibit super gas barrier behavior at thicknesses of <165 nm. When coupled with flexibility, the optical clarity and super barrier that these coatings can impart make them superb candidates for a variety of packaging applications.
