Barrier coatings deposited via PA-CVD and MS-PVD on recyclable polymer foils for food packaging applications

Abstract

Plastic litter has become the predominant contaminant in our lands and oceans. Prioritizing waste recycling is essential to halt this ecologically damaging problem. However, the recycling process is hindered when products like food packaging are made of several layers of different polymers co-extruded together to have acceptable barrier properties. This issue can be addressed by depositing thin coatings using plasma-assisted techniques on single-layer polymer foils, to achieve comparable resistance against water and oxygen permeation. Given the nanometric thickness of these coatings, recycling could be potentially carried out without any inconvenience.