MoS₂-Integrated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes for enhanced CO₂ barrier performance in climate action applications
Muhammad Salman SHAH, Muhammad WASEEM, Mohamed AL-MARZOUQI, Nayef GHASEM
Abstract. Rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions creates a dual challenge: environmental impact and material performance limitations in packaging systems. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), extensively applied in beverage bottles and pharmaceutical packages, has poor gas barrier performance that causes leaking of CO₂ and reduced stability of the product. PET membranes and molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets were engineered in this study to improve gas barrier property. The addition of two-dimensional nanofillers facilitated efficient interfacial interaction in the polymer matrix, thus suppressed the free volume channels and limit the diffusion of CO₂. Structural characterization i.e. SEM (scanning electron microscopy) confirmed uniform nanosheet dispersion, while gas permeability studies revealed a marked 86% reduction in CO₂ permeability relative to pristine PET. These developments reveal the potential of PET/MoS₂ nanocomposites as scalable, cost-effective materials for enhancement of product shelf life and reduction of carbon dioxide losses through leakage in packaging applications. This work aligns with climate action goals by advancing sustainable materials that contribute to CO₂ management through improved containment and utilization.
Keywords
CO2, Nanosheets, Membrane Synthesis, Gas Barrier
Published online 6/20/2026, 7 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Muhammad Salman SHAH, Muhammad WASEEM, Mohamed AL-MARZOUQI, Nayef GHASEM, MoS₂-Integrated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) membranes for enhanced CO₂ barrier performance in climate action applications, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 203-209, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-29
The article was published as article 29 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
References
[1] A. Nema, A. Kumar, and V. Warudkar, “An in-depth critical review of different carbon capture techniques: Assessing their effectiveness and role in reducing climate change emissions,” Energy Convers Manag, vol. 323, p. 119244, Jan. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ENCONMAN.2024.119244
[2] M. Waseem, N. Ghasem, M. A.-M.-C. E. and, and undefined 2025, “Experimental and simulation study of a catalytic-membrane integrated system for efficient CO2 stripping,” Elsevier, Accessed: Sep. 12, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0255270125000650
[3] M. Sabet, “Exploring biodegradable polymer composites for sustainable packaging: a review on properties, manufacturing techniques, and environmental impacts,” Iranian Polymer Journal (English Edition), vol. 34, no. 1, pp. 123–142, Jan. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13726-024-01365-Y/METRICS
[4] R. Tiwari, M. A. Abdelwahab, and M. Rabnawaz, “Barrier, thermal, and mechanical properties of polyglycolic acid/polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and liquid crystalline polymer/PET blend films,” Polymer (Guildf), vol. 335, p. 128761, Sep. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.POLYMER.2025.128761
[5] R. Venkatesan, V. Mayakrishnan, M. M. Alrashed, and S. C. Kim, “Recent Advances in PBAT (Nano) Composite Materials for Food Packaging: A Comprehensive Review,” J Appl Polym Sci, vol. 142, no. 28, p. e57163, Jul. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/APP.57163
[6] H. Kodama, M. Nakaya, A. Shirakura, A. Hotta, T. Hasebe, and T. Suzuki, “Synthesis of practical high-gas-barrier carbon films at low and atmospheric pressure for PET bottles,” myukk.xsrv.jp, vol. 16, no. 2, 2006, Accessed: Aug. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: http://myukk.xsrv.jp/free_journal/download.php?fn=NDFCT510_full.pdf
[7] “How Technological Advances Change Human Food – Google Books.” Accessed: Aug. 31, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://books.google.ae/books?hl=en&lr=&id=jld0EQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA261&dq=In+soft+drinks,+for+example,+carbonation+levels+can+drop+by+10%E2%80%9315%25+within+three+months+due+to+CO%E2%82%82+diffusion+through+PET+walls&ots=URy_N1PLLm&sig=RNBJ23hjg2Ks8oj2KFzBaNCeLOA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
[8] N. Arun Shete, M. R. S, K. R. N, G. S. J, and T. R. R, “CHANGING SCENARIO OF PACKAGING IN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY,” World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research www.wjpr.net, vol. 9, no. 1, p. 1728, 2020. https://doi.org/10.20959/wjpr20201-16569
[9] M. S. Shah et al., “WS2 nanosheets rooted in polyethylene terephthalate membrane for gas barrier properties improvement,” Springer, vol. 58, no. 11, pp. 4753–4765, Mar. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10853-023-08165-4
[10] K. Kaiser, M. Schmid, and M. Schlummer, “Recycling of Polymer-Based Multilayer Packaging: A Review,” Recycling 2018, Vol. 3, Page 1, vol. 3, no. 1, p. 1, Dec. 2017. https://doi.org/10.3390/RECYCLING3010001
[11] M. Zahid, A. E. Del Río Castillo, S. B. Thorat, J. K. Panda, F. Bonaccorso, and A. Athanassiou, “Graphene morphology effect on the gas barrier, mechanical and thermal properties of thermoplastic polyurethane,” Compos Sci Technol, vol. 200, p. 108461, Nov. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPSCITECH.2020.108461
[12] B. Adak and Y. Teramoto, “Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/synthetic hectorite clay nanocomposite coated paper-based sustainable barrier materials for packaging application,” Prog Org Coat, vol. 209, p. 109549, Dec. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PORGCOAT.2025.109549
[13] H. Li et al., “Gentle Gradient-Reduction of Graphene Oxide Membranes by Interfacial Redox Reaction toward Breaking Selectivity-Permeability Trade-off,” ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, vol. 17, no. 24, pp. 35597–35605, Jun. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/ACSAMI.5C07301/ASSET/IMAGES/LARGE/AM5C07301_0005.JPEG
[14] S. S. Karim et al., “A contemplating review on different synthesis methods of 2D-Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets,” Fuel, vol. 351, p. 128923, Nov. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FUEL.2023.128923
[15] H. Moustafa, M. H. Hemida, M. A. Nour, and A. I. Abou-Kandil, “Intelligent packaging films based on two-dimensional nanomaterials for food safety and quality monitoring: Future insights and roadblocks,” Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, vol. 38, no. 3, pp. 1208–1230, Mar. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1177/08927057241264802/ASSET/97657F39-0B51-4601-9B54-C3B5A41CE3B4/ASSETS/IMAGES/LARGE/10.1177_08927057241264802-FIG9.JPG
[16] B. Sapkota, W. Liang, A. VahidMohammadi, R. Karnik, A. Noy, and M. Wanunu, “High permeability sub-nanometre sieve composite MoS2 membranes,” Nat Commun, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1–9, Dec. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1038/S41467-020-16577-Y;TECHMETA=123,128;SUBJMETA=1018,1058,301,350,357,639,925;KWRD=NANOPORES,TWO-DIMENSIONAL+MATERIALS
[17] M. Ahmadi et al., “2D transition metal dichalcogenide nanomaterials: advances, opportunities, and challenges in multi-functional polymer nanocomposites,” J Mater Chem A Mater, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 845–883, Jan. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9TA10130F
[18] Y. Cao, M. Zhao, B. Zhang, M. Sun, X. Zhang, and X. Zhang, “Enhancing Polymer‐Based Composite Properties via the Mechanical Chain Effect of Amino‐Functionalized Molybdenum Disulfide Nanosheets,” Wiley Online Library, vol. 0, pp. 1–15, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/PC.30083
[19] U. Draz, M. Waseem, and T. Iqbal, “Characterization and corrosion analysis of zinc coating by electrodeposition using acid chloride electrolyte solution,” Results in Surfaces and Interfaces, vol. 20, p. 100588, Aug. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RSURFI.2025.100588
[20] J. Liu, D. Hui, and D. Lau, “Two-dimensional nanomaterial-based polymer composites: Fundamentals and applications,” degruyterbrill.com, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 770–792, Jan. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1515/NTREV-2022-0041/HTML
[21] R. S. K. Valappil, M. Waseem, N. Ghasem, and M. Al-Marzouqi, “Advanced CO2 capture: Hydrophobic PVDF membranes integrated with stearic-acid modified ZnO nanohybrids,” ElsevierRSK Valappil, M Waseem, N Ghasem, M Al-MarzouqiJournal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 2025•Elsevier, vol. 169, Apr. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JTICE.2025.105958
[22] A. Jonnalagedda, B. K.-R. advances, and undefined 2025, “Novel mixed matrix membranes with indium-based 2D and 3D MOFs as fillers and polysulfone for CO 2/CH 4 mixed gas separation,” pubs.rsc.org, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ra08557d.
[23] M. Azeem, R. Jan, S. Farrukh, and A. Hussain, “Improving gas barrier properties with boron nitride nanosheets in polymer-composites,” Results Phys, vol. 12, pp. 1535–1541, Mar. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.RINP.2019.01.057
[24] Z. Salahuddin et al., “Environmental treatment and remediation using h-BN based smart and hybrid membrane,” Chemosphere, vol. 305, p. 135466, Oct. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2022.135466
[25] A. Ayub, S. Farrukh, R. Jan, M. Azeem, Z. Salahuddin, and A. Hussain, “Gas barrier properties evaluation for boron nitride nanosheets-polymer (polyethylene-terephthalate) composites,” Applied Nanoscience (Switzerland), vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 91–99, Jan. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/S13204-020-01563-Z/METRICS
