Biodegradability studies of poly(butylene succinate)/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites under controlled compost soil conditions: Effects of clay loading and compatibiliser

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 97; no. 8; pp. 1345 - 1354
• Main Authors: Phua, Y.J., Lau, N.S., Sudesh, K., Chow, W.S., Mohd Ishak, Z.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; bacteria; Biodegradability; biodegradation; carbon dioxide; chemical structure; clay; composts; differential scanning calorimetry; Exact sciences and technology; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy; gel chromatography; humus; mechanical properties; molecular weight; Nanocomposite; nanocomposites; Organo-montmorillonite; Physicochemistry of polymers; Poly(butylene succinate); Polymer industry, paints, wood; scanning electron microscopy; soil; Soil burial; succinic acid; Technology of polymers; thermal properties; weight loss; Soil burial; Poly(butylene succinate); Nanocomposite; Biodegradability; Organo-montmorillonite; Biodegradation; Biological properties; Organic clay; Montmorillonite; Ester polymer; Mechanical properties; Compatibilizer; Composite material; Thermal properties; Aliphatic polymer; Polysuccinate
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.05.024

Biodegradable nanocomposites were prepared from poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and organo-montmorillonite (OMMT), in the presence of maleic anhydride-grafted PBS (PBS-g-MA) as compatibiliser. The effects of OMMT loading and PBS-g-MA on the biodegradability of PBS nanocomposites were investigated. Soil burial testing was carried out for 180 days in natural organic humus compost soil under controlled conditions. It is noted that the weight loss of nanocomposites was lower than that of neat PBS, due to the enhanced barrier properties after addition of OMMT. However, the addition of PBS-g-MA increased the weight loss of nanocomposite. The mechanical properties of PBS nanocomposites were significantly reduced after the soil burial. Biodegradation of the material was further confirmed by the decreased molecular weight through gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and changes in the chemical structure as verified by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This was supported by the degraded surface of PBS and the nanocomposites observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of biodegradation on the thermal properties were studied through the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the biodegradation rate of the materials was determined by measuring the carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution. The degraded samples were recovered and PBS-degrading bacteria were found to be present in the exposed samples.