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Structure, morphology, and biodegradability of poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based nanocomposites
Author(s) -
Neppalli Ramesh,
Causin Valerio,
Marega Carla,
Saini Roberta,
Mba Miriam,
Marigo Antonio
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.21948
Subject(s) - crystallinity , materials science , nanocomposite , small angle x ray scattering , polycaprolactone , lamellar structure , biodegradation , polymer , composite material , chemical engineering , differential scanning calorimetry , crystallization , polyhydroxybutyrate , organoclay , polymer chemistry , scattering , organic chemistry , chemistry , biology , bacteria , optics , thermodynamics , engineering , physics , genetics
Biodegradable polycaprolactone/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by solvent casting, using different amounts of filler and matrices differing by average molecular weight. Intercalated nanocomposites were obtained. The nanocomposites were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) and small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) methods. Negligible variations in the degree of crystallinity were detected by WAXD. The thickness of crystalline lamellae, measured by SAXS, increased in low molecular weight polymer nanocomposites with increasing clay amount; this effect was weakened in matrices with high molecular weight. Differential scanning calorimetry showed an inhibiting effect of clay on crystallization. The composites' ductility was largely increased, whereas stiffness was retained. After biodegradation in compost, in all samples, the degree of crystallinity was increased, meaning that the less ordered portion of the sample was preferentially degraded. Clay slowed down the biodegradation rate, coherently with the observed increase in the lamellar thickness due to the filler. This may offer a strategy for tuning the biodegradability by calibrating their semicrystalline framework. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. ©2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.