Development of HDPE/Graphene Nanocomposite Films with Very High Moisture Barrier

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Flexible packaging, particularly plastic films, represent 40% of all plastic in packaging. Their applications reside mostly in food, pharma and electronic packaging. In these applications, barrier properties, particularly to oxygen (oxygen transmission rate, OTR) and moisture (water vapor transmission rate, WVTR), are of great importance for extended shelf life and to limit product deterioration. These polymer films are mostly manufactured using the blown or cast films processes. **The collaborating company in this project is NanoXplore Inc., a medium size Canadian company that developed a technology for graphite exfoliation in order to obtain graphene and is seeking the development of its applications. One of the potential applications is in the area of electronic packaging since graphene can enhance both barrier, particularly to oxygen and water vapor, and electromagnetic shielding properties of polymers. High density polyethylene (HDPE) on the other hand is known to have a very good barrier to water vapor. The objective of this work is to improve this water vapor barrier by using nanoparticulate graphene in HDPE films. The outcome of this project would provide NanoXplore with materials with improved humidity and oxygen impermeation, and the ability to rapidly engage with the customers looking for industrial graphene solutions in Canada and overseas. **