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Effect of evolved interactions in poly(butylene succinate)/fumed silica biodegradable in situ prepared nanocomposites on molecular weight, material properties, and biodegradability
Author(s) -
Vassiliou Alexandros A.,
Bikiaris Dimitrios,
El Mabrouk Khalil,
Kontopoulou Marianna
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.32887
Subject(s) - fumed silica , materials science , crystallinity , nanocomposite , branching (polymer chemistry) , polybutylene succinate , chemical engineering , silanol , polymer chemistry , nanoparticle , crystallization , polymer , in situ polymerization , polymerization , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering , nanotechnology , catalysis
Poly(butylene succinate) (PBSu)/fumed silica nanocomposites were prepared in situ by condensation polymerization. TEM micrographs verified that the dispersion of the nanoparticles was homogeneous in the PBSu matrix, while some small agglomerates were also formed at a higher SiO 2 content. 13 C NMR spectra affirmed that the hydroxyl end groups of PBSu could form covalent bonds with the surface silanol groups of SiO 2 . These interactions affected the molecular weight of the prepared nanocomposites. At low concentrations the SiO 2 nanoparticles acted as chain extenders, increasing the molecular weight of PBSu, while at higher loadings they resulted in extended branching and crosslinking reactions, leading to gradually decreased molecular weights. Silica nanoparticles acted as nucleating agents, increasing the crystallization rate of PBSu. However, the degree of crystallinity was slightly reduced. Tensile strength and Young's modulus were significantly increased with increasing SiO 2 content. The presence of the nanoparticles resulted in reduced enzymatic hydrolysis rates compared to pure PBSu, attributed to the smaller available organic surface, due to the incorporation of SiO 2 , and to the existence of branched and crosslinked macromolecules. Dynamic mechanical and rheological properties were also extensively studied. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011