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Synergistic effect of dipentaerythritol and montmorillonite in EVOH‐based nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Vannini Micaela,
Marchese Paola,
Celli Annamaria,
Marega Carla,
Marigo Antonio,
Lorenzetti Cesare
Publication year - 2015
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.42265
Subject(s) - montmorillonite , materials science , nanocomposite , crystallization , small angle x ray scattering , intercalation (chemistry) , polymer , chemical engineering , plasticizer , polymer chemistry , composite material , organic chemistry , chemistry , physics , optics , scattering , engineering
To solve problems of stiffness of EVOH in film preparation, new formulations are investigated. First, dipentaerythritol (DPE) is blended with EVOH: it acts as plasticizer, decreases the EVOH crystallization temperature and allows the preparation of articles featuring enhanced flexibility and stretchability. However, beyond a certain loading (above 10 wt %) DPE can crystallize and segregate during cooling, causing further problems in EVOH processability due to material embrittlement. Then, a small amount of montmorillonite (MMT) is mixed in the EVOH/DPE system: it results that for specific compositions MMT inhibits the DPE crystallization. At the same time, DPE, thanks to its high polarity and affinity with both clay and polymeric matrix, improves the intercalation of the nanoclays, promoting the penetration of the polymer chains within the layers of the clay. The synergistic effects of DPE and MMT in EVOH matrix is confirmed by DSC, WAXD, SAXS and TEM analyses. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 42265.