PLA has some performance limitations including its barrier properties to water and oxygen. This has hindered application possibilities, such as packaging for foods with a short shelf life (yoghurt pots, fresh fruit and vegetable containers, juice and waterbottles). The research group at the University of Salerno aim to overcome this issue and improve the properties of the PLA by blending it with other biopolymers and through the addition of nanofillers. In evaluating the permeability of water vapourin the PLA nanocomposite films, Salerno have chosen the Systech Illinois 7002. This water vapour permeation analyser is capable of measuring 0.002-1000 g/m2/day. It offers quick response and consistently accurate measurements with absolute moisture measurement.

Join for free to read