Abstract. In this study, maleic anhydride-grafted poly(butylene succinate) (PBS-g-MA) was synthesized via reactive meltgrafting process using different initiator contents. The grafting efficiency was increased with the initiator content, manifested by the higher degree of grafting in PBS-g-MA. The grafting reaction was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Then, PBS-g-MA was incorporated into organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) filled poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites as compatibilizer. Mechanical properties of PBS nanocomposites were enhanced after compatibilized with PBS-g-MA, due to the better dispersion of OMMT in PBS matrix and the improved filler-matrix interfacial interactions. This was verifiable through X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that the degree of crystallinity and melting temperature increased after addition of PBS-g-MA. However, the presence of PBS-g-MA did not favor the thermal stability of the nanocomposites, as reported in the thermogravimetry (TGA).

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Abstract. Polymer nanocomposites have potentially enhanced properties when the molecular orientations of the polymer chains can be controlled. In this study, the mechanical and structural properties of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and 2wt% organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) filled PBS nanocomposites were modified by uniaxial cold rolling. Cold rolling was carried out to different compression ratios. The mechanical properties of rolled samples were studied in both the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD). Along the MD, distinct improvements in tensile strength and elongation at break were observed. However, the tensile strength degraded along the TD. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and microwave molecular orientation analysis reported on the degree of molecular orientation after rolling. Further, degree of crystallinity was reduced after cold rolling.

Biodegradable polymer blends of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) were prepared with different compositions. The mechanical properties of the blends were studied through tensile testing and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. The dependence of the elastic modulus and strength data on the blend composition was modeled on the basis of the equivalent box model. The fitting parameters indicated complete immiscibility between PBS and PHBV and a moderate adhesion level between them. The immiscibility of the parent phases was also evidenced by scanning electron observation of the prepared blends. The thermal properties of the blends were studied through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DSC results showed an enhancement of the crystallization behavior of PBS after it was blended with PHBV, whereas the thermal stability of PBS was reduced in the blends, as shown by the TGA thermograms. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 42815.

We present an approach to bio-cementation of sand where the calcium source is prepared by dissolving powdered limestone (chalk) in lactic acid. Cementation is achieved through enzyme induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) with Jack Bean urease. The real-time nucleation and growth of crystals, crystal morphology and mechanical strength of consolidated samples was studied for dissolved chalk solution as well as calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium lactate solutions. Solutions containing lactate were found to yield spherical calcite crystals. The compressive strengths of consolidated samples ranged from 0.06 to 2.8 MPa, increasing with the amount of precipitated CaCO3.

The pristine sodium montmorillonite (MMT) was organically modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) at different contents. The organoclay was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray techniques, and thermogravimetric analysis. Then, poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were prepared by melt‐mixing process using maleic anhydride‐grafted PBS (PBS‐g‐MA) as compatibilizer. It was found that the mechanical properties of PBS nanocomposites filled with organoclay were apparently higher than that of the nanocomposite filled with MMT. This is attributed to the better filler–matrix interactions between PBS and the organoclay and the better filler dispersion. This is verifiable through the XRD, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The addition of PBS‐g‐MA further improved the mechanical properties. It was also found that our laboratory synthesized organoclay modified with HTAB has provided a better reinforcing efficiency when compared with the commercial octadecylamine‐modified organoclay. Besides that the thermal properties of PBS nanocomposites were studied through differential scanning calorimetry. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers

Organo-montmorillonite (OMMT)-filled poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt mixing process with internal mixer, at various loading levels (i.e., 2-10 wt%) of OMMT. The effects of clay loading towards the mechanical and thermal properties were investigated through various characterizations such as melt flow index (MFI), density, mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The 2 wt% OMMT-filled PBS gave the highest strength among the rest due to higher degree of exfoliation of layered silicates in PBS matrix. Further increment in OMMT loading had reduced the strength of nanocomposites, which believed to be the result of agglomerations. This can be further confirmed by XRD and TEM. However, increment in clay loading had enhanced the modulus of nanocomposites. Higher OMMT loading tends to give higher melt viscosity because of the presence of clay particles. Moisture absorption at different conditions was performed. The results showed that higher OMMT loading and moisture level tend to increase the overall moisture uptake and also the diffusion coefficient.