Properties of low methoxyl pectin-carboxymethyl cellulose based on montmorillonite nanocomposite films

Summary In this study, the low methoxyl pectin-carboxymethyl cellulose-based montmorillonite (LMP-CMC-MMT, LCM) nanocomposite films with nine ratios of LMP:CMC (from 10:0 to 0:10) and different MMT contents (1–8 wt%) were prepared. The mechanical properties, colour, opacity and water vapour permeability (WVP) of composite films were investigated. The maximum of tensile strength (TS) of composite films was 39.85 ± 2.51 MPa at LMP:CMC ratio of 4:6 and 4 wt% MMT (LCM47), which indicated the formation of hydrogen bonds between MMT and LMP-CMC. The reduction of WVP of the LCM47 composite film was 333% of that of the CMC film due to the tortuous path caused by MMT incorporation. LCM composite films had the higher b *- and Δ E *-values and lower L *-values in comparison with LMP-CMC (LC) composite films. The LCM composite films showed a decrease in transparency as MMT content increased.