Thermal, water absorption, and mechanical characterizations of polylactide based nanocomposites: Comparison between sodium and modified montmorillonite as reinforcement materials

The research on the polymer silicate layer nanocomposites is currently focusing on maximizing the polymer-filler interface interaction. This study aimed to elucidate the effect of two different types of montmorillonite (MMT), which were Cloisite sodium (CNa) and Cloisite 10A (C10A), on the thermal, water absorption, and mechanical performances of polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites. Nanocomposites with different clay loadings from 1 to 7 wt% were fabricated by melt intercalation in a twin-screw extruder. XRD analysis showed an intercalated structure for PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% loadings. From TGA analysis, the initial thermal degradation temperature for PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% showed promising enhancement in thermal stability. DSC results also confirmed that both nanocomposites at clay loadings less than 5 wt% improved thermal properties and crystallinity compared to neat PLA. Storage modulus and tan delta for PLA/C10A shifted towards higher temperature. Water absorption intakes of PLA/C10A at 1 and 3 wt% loadings were reduced by 42% and 39%, respectively. For PLA/C10A at the optimum loading of 3 wt%, tensile strength improved by 21% and strain by 17%. This loading exhibited the finest morphological structure.

Automated summary

The study investigated the effects of two different types of montmorillonite on the thermal, water absorption, and mechanical performances of polylactide nanocomposites. Results showed that both types of nanocomposites with clay loadings under 5% exhibited improvements in thermal properties and crystallinity, while the nanocomposite at 3% loading showed enhanced mechanical properties.