PBAT/hybrid nanofillers composites-Part 2: Morphological, thermal and rheological properties

This work is an investigation of the effect of different nanofillers: organically modified montmorillonite (MMT), sepiolite (SEP) and nano titanium dioxide (nTiO(2)) and combination of them in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films. Thermal morphological and rheological analyses were conducted to explain the behavior of this nanoparticles on O-2 and water vapor permeability coefficients, light transmission, and mechanical properties presented in previous study. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites was slightly decreased by the nanofillers presence. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray analyses were carried out to investigate the crystallization behavior of nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopic analysis showed regular and homogeneous dispersion of the nanoparticles, but scanning electron microscopy showed lack of adhesion in the sepiolite-PBAT interface. Rheological measurements showed significant increase in both complex viscosity and storage modulus due to interactions between clays and PBAT and the effect of sepiolite and nTiO(2) on improving the exfoliation of montmorillonite as synergism between the nanofillers.

Automated summary

The study investigates the effects of different nanofillers in PBAT films, finding a synergistic effect of sepiolite and nTiO(2) on improving the exfoliation of montmorillonite. This is demonstrated through thermal, morphological, and rheological analyses.