Polymer/organoclay nanocomposites with biodegradable aliphatic polyester and its blends: preparation and characterization

Abstract

Synthetic biodegradable aliphatic polyester (BAP) and its blends with polyepichlorohydrin (PECH) were processed with organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) to make polymer/organoclay nanocomposites via a solvent casting method. Interlayer spacings of each system, measured by X-ray diffraction analysis, suggested that BAP had better affinity to clay than PECH in a competitive intercalation mechanism. The internal structures were visualized using transmission electron microscopy and were discussed in conjunction with the result of other experimental studies, such as thermogravimetric analysis and rheometry. In rheological measurements, the degree of shear-thinning increased drastically with OMMT loading, and both the storage modulus and loss modulus were found to increase with OMMT loading at all frequencies. Throughout this study, we compared the behaviours of polymer/clay nanocomposites in homo and blend systems, and examined the role of various parameters on the material characteristics of polymer/clay nanocomposites.