Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Bio-Based Polyethylene/Clay Biocomposites Containing Montmorillonite and Vermiculite Clays

This work aims to investigate the effect of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and vermiculite (OVT) clays on the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/bio-based polyethylene (BioPE)/clay biocomposites. Ethylene-methyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (EMA-GMA) copolymer was used to improve the interactions between the clay and the bio-based polymers. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated a good dispersion of the OMMT and OVT clays in the PLA/BioPE blend. Morphology analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a substantial decrease in the BioPE particles domain size with the addition of OMMT and OVT clays to PLA/BioPE blend and a better wetting of BioPE phase in the presence of EMA-GMA, resulting in higher impact strength. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed a decrease in the glass transition (T-g) and cold crystallization (T-cc) temperatures of PLA with the addition of OMMT and OVT clays to the PLA/BioPE blend. A significant change in the rheological properties (complex viscosity, storage modulus, and relaxation time) was observed with the addition of EMA-GMA copolymer to PLA/BioPE/clay biocomposites.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effects of OMMT and OVT clays, as well as EMA-GMA copolymer, on the properties of PLA/BioPE composites, showing improvements in impact strength and reductions in glass transition and cold crystallization temperatures. Rheological properties were significantly altered with the addition of EMA-GMA copolymer to the biocomposites.