In this study, the effect of mechanical recycling process parameters on the morphology, properties, and hydrolytic degradation of polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic polyurethane/polycaprolactone waste blends (TPU-PCL/PCL) and their nanocomposites were investigated. Modification of recycled TPU-PCL/PCL was carried out using natural and organically modified montmorillonite nanoclays. Effect of reprocessing time on the structure of TPU-PCL/PCL and nanoclay separation in nanocomposites was evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. It has been demonstrated that mechanical recycling of waste from industrial TPU-PCL/PCL only marginally changes its properties. The exfoliation of Cloisite 30B clay was not enough to enhance the properties of recycled materials. However, the structure, thermal, and mechanical properties, hydrolytic degradation of obtained recycled TPU-PCL/PCL:nanoclay nanocomposites depend on the separation level of the nanoclays.

The influence of plasma treated bentonite on the properties and structure of mechanically recycled polycaprolactone-based thermoplastic polyurethane/polycaprolactone blend (rTPU-PCL) was investigated. The bentonite clay was modified with oxygen, argon, and air plasma. The obtained rTPU-PCL/clay nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses. X-ray diffraction showed the increase of spacing between diffraction lattice planes of plasma treated bentonite. The treatment by plasma improves the clay dispersion in rTPU-PCL matrix independently on used plasma gasses. The mechanical properties of nanocomposites were improved when plasma treated clay was used.