Effect of the addition of sepiolite on the morphology and properties of melt compounded PHBV/PLA blends

Abstract

A study concerning the incorporation of sepiolite in blends of biopolyesters (PHBV/PLA) to obtain clay/ polymer nanocomposites (CPN) was performed to improve the gas barrier performance of the final materials and achieve a well dispersed morphology by means of an increase in the melt viscosity during melt blending. The latter is relevant to increase the stability of the PHBV sheets during thermoforming. The samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), tensile tests at room and high temperatures, dynamo-mechanical thermal analysis in torsion mode (DMTA), oscillatory rheometry with a parallel plate setup, Vicat softening temperature system and oxygen barrier properties. The resulting Sepiolite/PHBV/PLA nanocomposites not only improved the compatibility between the biopolymers and reduced the oxygen permeability, but also improved the mechanical properties at room temperature, showing an increase in the elongation at break, as well as increasing the rigidity and stability of the CPN at higher temperatures, which could make them very attractive for uses in thermoforming applications for food packaging. POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000-000, 2017.

Synergistic effect between different clays and plasticizer on the properties of PHBV nanocomposites

“…The uniform morphology and the reduction in the domains size can be attributed to the changes in the viscosity of the mixture, a decrease in the droplet coalescence, and to the improved compatibility between the phases promoted by the clay nanoparticles. Similar results were found by González‐Ausejo et al for PHBV and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends using sepiolite as filler, in addition to Erpek et al for PLA and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using halloysite. Both researchers found a decrease in the average size of the dispersed phase with the addition of clay.…”

The Effect of Antibacterial Particle Incorporation on the Mechanical Properties, Biodegradability, and Biocompatibility of PLA and PHBV Composites

“…As previously reported, PLA composites show higher values in tensile strength than PHBV composites, which was also confirmed in the present study. [30] At room temperature and at −24 °C, tensile strength values for PLA were over 40% higher than for PHBV (PLA, 68 MPa; PHBV, 39 MPa). The negative impact of the PHBV supplementation on tensile strength of PLA has been previously shown by Zembouai et al, who tested PLA/PHBV blends.…”

Mechanical, Heat-resistant, Crystallographic and Dynamical Mechanical Properties of Nylon 6/ P(N-phenylmaleimide-alt-styrene) Blends

“…But in the constant stage, the G' increase with increasing PNS. This proves the PNS could improve the rigidity of PA6/PNS blends [23]. Figure 5.…”