Biopolyester‐based nanocomposites: Structural, thermo‐mechanical and biocompatibility characteristics of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/montmorillonite clay nanohybrids

Abstract

In this work, the structural, thermal, mechanical, and biocompatibility characteristics of biopolyester-based nanocomposites with phyllosilicate clays, namely those of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) with octadecylamine-modified montmorillonite (C 18 MMT), are reported. PHB/clay nanocomposites with various loadings were prepared by melt mixing. X-ray diffraction measurements and transmission electron microscopy images revealed the coexistence of intercalated and exfoliated states in the produced nanocomposites. Atomic force microscopy imaging also shed light to the morphological characteristics of the pure PHB and the prepared nanocomposites. The thermal stability of the nanohybrid materials was improved with the 5 wt % loading nanocomposite to show the best improvement. In addition, the nanohybrids have lower melting point compared to pure PHB and enhanced storage modulus (E 0 ). Finally, the biocompatibility of pristine PHB and the 5 wt % nanocomposite was assessed by studying the morphology and proliferation of osteoblast cells attached on their surfaces. The results after 3 and 7 days of cell culturing indicate the incorporation of nanoclays does not change the cell adhesion and spreading as compared to those on pure PHB.

Effects of highly exfoliated montmorillonite layers on the properties of clay reinforced terpolymer nanocomposite plugging microspheres

“…Polymer nanocomposites containing inorganic nanoparticles are gathering increasing attention owing to their remarkable improvements in mechanical and thermal properties compared with pristine polymer . Montmorillonite (MMT) is one of the most widely used inorganic layered silicates because the lamellar elements exhibit high in‐plane strength, stiffness, and a high aspect ratio . Strong interfacial interactions between the dispersed layers and the polymer matrix can significantly enhance the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of the virgin polymer .…”

Fabrication and properties of polyhydroxybutyrate/kaolin nanocomposites and evaluation of their biocompatibility for biomedical applications

“…Biopolymer based nanocomposites showed improved mechanical strength, in‐vitro degradation, biocompatibility, and bioactivity properties due to the addition of nanosized clay in the biopolymer matrix. The bio‐nanocomposites such as PHB/nano‐bioglass (nBG), PHB/octadecylamine‐modified montmorillonite (C18MMT), Ca–P/PHB, PHB/OMMT, PHB/chitosan/alumina nanowires, nHA/PHB, and PHB/nano silica bio‐nanocomposites were reported for improvement in properties such as surface roughness, protein adsorption, wettability, water uptake, degradation, thermal stability, bioresorbability, bioactivity, cell attachment, and cell proliferation 1,6,17–21 …”