Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(propylene carbonate)/Modified Sepiolite Nanocomposites

A series of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/modified sepiolite (mSp) nanocomposites with different mSp contents were prepared via a solution-based processing method. The modified sepiolite was obtained by fabricating sepiolite with methyl trimethoxysilanes (MTMS) gel. The effect of mSp amount, in the range 1-10 wt%, on the morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal degradation of PPC was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), static strenching analysis, thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Morphological studies showed the homogeneous dispersion of mSp in the PPC matrix whose structure remains amorphous. The nanoscale dispersion of mSp significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal stability. The thermal motion and degradation of the polymer occur at higher temperature in the presence of mSp because of the strong interfacial adhesion between the two components. (C) 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers