INVESTIGATION OF GAS PERMEABILITY IN PET/GRAPHENE NANOCOMPOSITES FOR FOOD PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

Authors

  • Mohd Ihsan Che Mohd Noh National University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43000 Bangi, Malaysia
  • Mohd Ambri Mohamed National University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43000 Bangi, Malaysia
  • Azrul Azlan Hamzah National University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43000 Bangi, Malaysia
  • Abang Annuar Ehsan National University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43000 Bangi, Malaysia
  • A. Atiqah National University of Malaysia image/svg+xml , Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), 43000 Bangi, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11113/jurnalteknologi.v88.25114

Abstract

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used in packaging applications due to its excellent mechanical and thermal properties. However, its intrinsic gas permeability limits its performance in high-barrier applications. The incorporation of graphene-based nanofillers into the PET matrix has emerged as a promising strategy to significantly enhance gas barrier properties. In this study, the gas permeability behavior of PET/graphene nanocomposites was investigated using a 3D-structured graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) network designed to maximize tortuosity within the polymer matrix. The addition of graphene nanoplatelets introduces a highly tortuous three-dimensional diffusion pathway that impedes the transport of gas molecules, thereby markedly containing 0.3 wt% graphene nanoplatelets. This improvement correlates with microstructural changes evidenced by BET analysis, where the specific surface area increased from 0.53 m²/g for neat PET to 1.18 m²/g for the 0.3 wt% GNP composite, and the total pore volume increased from 4.33 × 10⁻⁴ cm³/g to 1.07 × 10⁻³ cm³/g, reflecting the development of a more complex 3D internal pathway. The degree of barrier enhancement was strongly dependent on dispersion quality, graphene loading, aspect ratio, and interfacial interaction between the filler and polymer matrix. This combination of low graphene content, quantified barrier improvement, and a tailored 3D tortuous network showed the novelty of this work and highlights the potential of PET/graphene nanocomposites for advanced packaging, electronics encapsulation, and functional barrier applications.

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Published

2026-08-29

Issue

Vol. 88 No. 5: September 2026

Section

Science and Engineering

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