a b s t r a c tWell-dispersed starch-clay nanocomposites were prepared by adding a dilute clay dispersion to a solution of starch followed by coprecipitation in ethanol. The clay didn't significantly influence the type of crystalline structure of starch molecules although the amount of crystallinity appears to be somewhat lower in the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites show improved modulus and strength without a decrease in elongation at break. The increase in modulus and strength is 65% and 30%, respectively for the nanocomposite containing 5 wt.% clay compared to the unfilled starch materials. Further increases in clay result in deterioration in properties most likely due to poorer clay dispersion and lower polymer crystallinity. As the amount of water increases, the modulus of both pure starch and starch nanocomposites decreases, although the change is less pronounced in the nanocomposites suggesting that the addition of clay to form nanocomposites can improve the stability of starch-based products during transportation and storage.

The introduction of organically modified clays to poly(vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) matrix promotes an α to β transformation of the crystalline phase in a manner that critically depends upon the nature of the clay surface modifier. In addition, the presence of nanoclay facilitates an energy dissipation mechanism that gives rise to extensive enhancements in mechanical toughness. At ambient and elevated temperatures the dielectric permittivity of nanocomposites dramatically increases compared to the neat polymer. The rheological, mechanical and dielectric properties of hybrids directly reflect the morphological and structural changes induced by clays.2

a b s t r a c tMotivated by the technological need for poly(ethylene terephthalate) materials with improved barrier properties together with the requirement for sustainability this study focuses on an eco-friendly sulfonated polyester as clay compatibilizer to facilitate polymer mixing during melt compounding. We demonstrate that the nanocomposites based on sulfonated polyester are a reliable alternative to their imidazolium counterparts, exhibiting enhanced properties (water vapor and UV transmission), without sacrificing the excellent transparency, clarity and mechanical strength of the matrix.

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