Journal article
Poly I-lactide-layered double hydroxide nanocomposites via in situ polymerization of I-lactide
The use of clay nanofillers offers a potential route to improved barrier properties in polylactide films. Magnesium–aluminium layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are interesting in this respect and we therefore explored synthesis of PLA-LDH nanocomposites by ring-opening polymerization. This method is attractive because it should ensure good dispersion of LDH in the polymer.
The effect of adding either LDH carbonate (LDH-CO3) or laurate-modified LDH (LDH-C12) was investigated. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy revealed that exfoliated nanocomposites were obtained when using LDH-C12 but that LDH-CO3 gave a partly phase-separated morphology.
Thermogravimetric analysis showed that PLA-LDH combinations exhibited higher degradation onset temperatures and differential scanning calorimetry confirmed that LDHs can act as nucleating agents. However, PLA molecular weight was significantly reduced when in-situ polymerization was conducted in the presence of the LDHs and we suggest that chain termination via LDH surface hydroxyl groups and/or metal-catalyzed degradation could be responsible.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2010 |
Pages: | 2563-2573 |
ISSN: | 18732321 and 01413910 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.07.031 |
ORCIDs: | 0000-0002-8617-2393 |
Layered double hydroxides Nanocomposite Polylactide in-situ Polymerization