Quantifying the degree of nanofiller dispersion by advanced thermal analysis: application to polyester nanocomposites prepared by various elaboration methods

Optimization of Extrusion Parameters for Preparing PCL‐Layered Silicate Nanocomposites Supported by Modeling of Twin‐Screw Extrusion

“…It was recently reported that the magnitude of the $C_{{\rm p}}^{{\rm excess}} $ can be associated with the degree of nanoclay dispersion, as illustrated for poly(amide)‐6,35, 36 poly(ethylene ‐co‐ vinyl acetate)37 and PCL nanocomposites 9, 10, 38. For PCL nanocomposites, a higher (final) $C_{{\rm p}}^{{\rm excess}} $ value was found to be indicative of a better nanoclay dispersion 9, 10.…”

“…A fixed amount of 4.2 wt% C30B nanoclay powder was used for all nanocomposite samples, corresponding to an inorganic loading of 3 wt% when taking the organic modification of the nanoclay into account, as determined from thermogravimetric analysis (samples were heated to 750 °C at a heating rate of 10 °C · min −1 ; TA Instruments Q5000 TGA, 25 mL · min −1 N 2 ). It was already reported in publications from our research group that C30B, an organically modified layered silicate (also known as nanoclay or organoclay ), in combination with PCL can result in a well dispersed morphology 9, 10. A premix (of PCL and nanoclay powder) was made prior to extrusion, which was fed to the main hopper.…”

“…The melt intercalation method is frequently used for the preparation of nanoclay/based nanocomposites and was first successfully applied by Vaia et al4 Melt mixing by e.g., twin‐screw extrusion, as traditionally used in industrial compounding, is the preferred method for processing thermoplastic/based composites. Previous studies in our group and in literature have shown that in nanocomposites prepared by melt processing, the level of exfoliation, or dispersion of clay particles, depends on the interaction between the polymer and the organoclay 2, 5, 8–12. However, the processing conditions influence the dispersion quality of the nano‐sized particles throughout the polymer matrix, as such affecting the obtained morphology of the nanocomposite samples and, coincidently, the material properties 12–20…”

“…To assess the dispersion quality of the nanoclay in the PCL nanocomposites using different processing conditions, wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) is used as well as less conventional methods like rheometry, mechanical analysis, and quasi‐isothermal crystallization experiments 9, 10, 23…”

Biodegradation Study of a Novel Poly-Caprolactone-Coffee Husk Composite Film

“…This suggest that the aspect ratio of PCL-coffee husk plays an important role on the crystalline morphology of the polymer matrix. Miltner et al (2010) reported that the crystalline/amorphous interface of PCL-nanoparticles composites was related to aspect ratio, dispersion quality, and polymer-filler contact surface provided 34 . In addition, Neppali et al (2011) argued that the quantity and dispersion of this filler is key in tuning its nucleating effect, since the presence of dispersed filler can even slow down the crystal growth rate 33 .…”