Thermal, water absorption, and mechanical characterizations of polylactide based nanocomposites: Comparison between sodium and modified montmorillonite as reinforcement materials

Abstract

AbstractThe research on the polymer silicate layer nanocomposites is currently focusing on maximizing the polymer‐filler interface interaction. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of two different types of montmorillonite (MMT), which were Cloisite sodium (CNa) and Cloisite 10A (C10A), on the thermal, water absorption, and mechanical performances of polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites. Nanocomposites with different clay loadings from 1 to 7 wt% were fabricated by melt intercalation in a twin‐screw extruder. XRD analysis showed an intercalated structure for PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% loadings. From TGA analysis, the initial thermal degradation temperature for PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% showed promising enhancement in thermal stability. DSC results also confirmed that both nanocomposites at clay loadings less than 5 wt% improved thermal properties and crystallinity compared to neat PLA. Storage modulus and tan δ for PLA/C10A shifted towards higher temperature. Water absorption intakes of PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% loadings were reduced by 42% and 39%, respectively. For PLA/C10A at the optimum loading of 3 wt%, tensile strength improved by 21% and strain by 17%. This loading exhibited the finest morphological structure.