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Mechanical and morphological properties of poly(butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) and poly(lactic acid) blended with organically modified silicate layers
Author(s) -
Shahlari Mahin,
Lee Sunggyu
Publication year - 2012
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.23082
Subject(s) - materials science , ultimate tensile strength , composite material , adipate , rheometry , polylactic acid , organoclay , izod impact strength test , phase (matter) , polymer , lactic acid , silicate , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , chemistry , engineering , genetics , biology , bacteria
Poly(butylene adipate‐ co ‐terephthalate) (PBAT) is a biodegradable polymer with high ultimate elongation but low modulus. This work studied the addition of a rigid bio‐based and biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid) (PLA), along with organically modified silicate layers as a conceivable means to improve the modulus of PBAT. Blending with PLA would also reduce both the cost of the ultimate blend and its dependence on nonrenewable resources. Compounds of PBAT with PLA and organically modified silicate layers showed significantly improved tensile and flexural strength resulting in enhanced thermomechanical performances compared to neat PBAT. The state of clay dispersion was evaluated using common analytical techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and rheometry. The clay platelets were partially dispersed in a PBAT and PLA phase and a large portion of the platelets were located at the interface. The incorporation of organoclay reduced the dispersed phase domain (i.e., PLA) size significantly. The smaller PLA size however, did not translate into better elongational properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers