gelatin/montmorillonite biohybrid films prepared via a novel photocrosslinking method: structure–properties investigations

Gelatin/sodium montmorillonite (na+mmt) hybrid nanocomposite films were prepared by a new photocrosslinking method using 4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl-(2-hydroxy-2-propyl)ketone (irgacure 2959) as a photoactive radical initiator and n,n′-methylenebisacrylamide (mba) as a crosslinking agent. the prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (xrd), differential scanning calorimetry, stress–strain measurements and uv–vis spectrophotometry. xrd patterns showed the formation of exfoliation structure resulting in considerable improves in mechanical properties of the nanocomposite. retaining of transparency also suggested that na+mmt nanosheets were uniformly distributed in the gelatin matrix. the tensile strength and elastic’s modulus of nanocomposites were also improved notably by enhancing amount of na+mmt. furthermore, gelatin/na+mmt nanocomposites showed a second t g at a higher temperature in presence of na+mmt.