Structure and properties of Polylactide/Poly(butylene succinate)/Organically Modified Montmorillonite nanocomposites with high-efficiency intercalation and exfoliation effect manufactured via volume pulsating elongation flow

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 180; p. 121656
• Main Authors: Tan, Ling-cao, He, Yue, Qu, Jin-ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 10.10.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Clay; Crystallization; Dispersion; Elongated structure; Elongation; Elongation flow; Exfoliation; Interaction parameters; Interlayers; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Montmorillonite; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Organic montmorillonite; PLA/PBS blend; Polylactic acid; Surface tension; Thermal stability; Wettability; Elongation flow; PLA/PBS blend; Organic montmorillonite
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2019.121656

The Polylactide (PLA)/Poly(butylene succinate)(PBS)/Organically Modified Montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites with different ratio were manufactured via intense volume pulsating elongation flow. The nanostructure, microscopic morphology, crystallization property, thermostability, mechanical properties were well investigated. The processing mechanism was well discussed. The OMMT (C30B) was well dispersed, intercalated, and exfoliated in all the nanocomposites. The interlayer spacing doubled in all the nanocomposites. The clay mainly dispersed in PBS and located at the interface of PLA/PBS in all samples, which could be predicted by the interfacial tension, enthalpic interaction, and wettability parameter. Diameter of the in situ formed PBS fiber decreased as the C30B content increased. Nanocomposites with PBS content range from 30% to 70% displayed the co-continuous structure. The Young's modulus and elongation at break of the blend increased significantly by adding the clay. [Display omitted] •PLA/PBS/OMMT nanocomposites were manufactured by intense elongation flow.•The interlayer spacing of clay doubled in all nanocomposites.•The location of clay was predicted and confirmed.•The dispersion, intercalation and exfoliation mechanism was discussed.•The effect of clay and PBS content on the properties were investigated.