In this study, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] (PBSA) blend and its nanocomposites with layered double hydroxides (LDH) containing surface stearic acid functional groups (SaLDH) were prepared using the extrusion method, where the weight ratio of PLA/PBSA was fixed at 80/20, while that of the SaLDH varied from 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%. The characterization of SaLDH using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the presence of stearic acid moieties on the LDH surface. Comprehensive characterization of nanocomposites showed concurrent improvement of the thermal, mechanical, and oxygen gas barrier properties of nanocomposite containing 0.5 wt% of SaLDH. These properties are shown to result from improved interfacial interaction between the polymer matrices and the homogeneous distribution of nanoclay particles obtained at 0.5 wt% SaLDH concentration. The nanocomposite material thus shows high prospects in the industrial development of environmentally sustainable food and cosmetic packaging applications. CO 3 2− , Cl − ); and x is the fractional aluminum substitution in the layers] has a structure similar to that of brucite (Mg(OH) 2 ). 8-10 However, unlike the brucite structure, some of the divalent metal ions are replaced with trivalent metal ions in the LDH structure. Due to the excess positive charge from the trivalent metals ions, LDH layers carry a net positive charge, which is counterbalanced Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

The thermal and rheological behavior of blends of a Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) wax with linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and cone-and-plate rheometry. F-T wax is used as a possible low-cost processing aid alternative for LLDPE masterbatch applications. The melting-and crystallization thermograms indicated a two-phase solid-state morphology and full compatibility in the fully molten material.Both the high-melting and low-melting phase contained co-crystalized wax and polymer. Rheological data of F-T wax-LLDPE blends over the full composition range was also obtained. The zero-shear viscosity data was adequately predicted by the Friedman and Porter mixing rule:with α = 3.4. This implies that the melt viscosity is dominated by the effects of polymer chain entanglement and that the main consequence of adding the wax is to reduce the concentration of the polymer present. The complex viscosity also fitted this model albeit with α = 4.81. All Han plots, that is, plots of the logarithm of the storage modulus (G') against the logarithm of the loss modulus (G"), were linear. Within the experimental uncertainty, they were essentially unaffected by variations in blend composition, temperature and the applied angular frequency. Additionally, Cole-Cole plots were also in agreement that wax-LLDPE blends are miscible at melt state. This supports full miscibility of the F-T wax-LLDPE blend system down to temperatures as low as 120 C.

Waxes find use as processing aids in filled compounds and polyethylene‐based masterbatches. In such applications, the thermal and physical property changes they impart to the polymer matrix are important. Therefore, this study details results obtained for blends prepared by mixing a Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) wax with a high‐flow linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE). The melting and crystallization behavior are studied using hot‐stage polarized optical microscopy (POM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The calorimetry results are consistent with partial cocrystallization of the two components. The melting and crystallization exo‐ and endotherms for the wax‐ and LLDPE‐rich phases remained separate. However, they change in shape and shift toward higher‐ and lower temperature ranges, respectively. It is found that increasing the wax content delays the crystallization, decreases the overall crystallinity, and reduces the size of the crystallites of the polyethylene‐rich phase. Rotational viscosity is measured at 170 °C in the Newtonian shear‐rate range. The variation of the zero‐shear viscosity with blend composition is consistent with the assumption of a homogeneous melt in which the chains are in an entangled state. Therefore, it is concluded that the wax and LLDPE are, in effect, miscible in the melt and partially compatible in the solid state.

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