Premium
Preparation and characterization of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/calcium carbonate nanocomposites and nanocomposite foams
Author(s) -
Liu Hao,
Han Changyu,
Dong Lisong
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.20955
Subject(s) - nanocomposite , materials science , caprolactone , composite material , calcium carbonate , crystallization , compressive strength , chemical engineering , polymer , polymerization , engineering
Abstract Biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)/calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) nanocomposites were prepared and characterized. Effect of CaCO 3 on thermal and mechanical properties of PCL matrix was studied. Results showed that CaCO 3 acts as a crystallization nucleating agent and introduction of CaCO 3 leads to improved mechanical properties of the PCL matrix. PCL/CaCO 3 nanocomposite foams were prepared using chemical foaming method. Cellular parameters such as mean cell size, cell wall thickness, and cell density were collected. The cellular structure of nanocomposite foams changes with different CaCO 3 loading. Mean cell size achieved the minimum value at 5 wt% CaCO 3 loading, and cell wall thickness increased with CaCO 3 content. The changes in cellular structure and improvement of mechanical properties also enhanced the mechanical properties of PCL/CaCO 3 nanocomposite foams. Compressive moduli of PCL/CaCO 3 nanocomposite foams with similar density increased with increasing CaCO 3 loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 31:1653–1661, 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers