Properties and particles dispersion of biodegradable resin/clay nanocomposites

In this study, two types of biodegradable resins-based clay nanocomposites, in which organic montmorillonite clay was filled, were prepared by the direct melt blending method. In order to characterize the nanocomposite structure, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and TEM observation were performed. Characterization of the nanocomposites shows that intercalated and partially exfoliated structures were generated by the melt blending method. Mechanical and rheological properties of the nanocomposites were measured respectively. For the mechanical properties, there were improvements in tensile strength and Young's modulus of the nanocomposites due to the reinforcement of nanoparticles. The rheological behaviors of the nanocomposites were significantly affected by the degree of the dispersion of the organoclay. The storage modulus of the nanocomposites was measured and the degree of the dispersion of the organoclay was evaluated from the value of the terminal slope of the storage modulus. In addition, the quantity of the shear necessary for making the nanocomposite for melt intercalation method was estimated from the relationship between the value of the terminal slope of the storage modulus and the applied shear.