Effect of EPM-g-MAH on the flexural and morphological properties of poly(lactic acid)/organo-montmorillonite nanocomposites

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites were prepared by using both solution intercalation and melt intercalation methods. Maleic anhydride grafted ethylene propylene rubber (EPM-g-MAH) was used as a toughening agent for the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites. The flexural properties of PLA/OMMT nanocomposites were studied by using three-point bending test (ASTM D790). The structure of PLA/OMMT nanocomposites has been investigated by using a wide-angle X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The microstructures of the PLA/OMMT nanocomposites were assessed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The flexural yield displacement of PLA/OMMT prepared by melt intercalation method was increased by the addition of EPM-g-MAH. FESEM micrographs show that more fibrillated structure could be observed from the fractured surface of PLA/OMMT/EPM-g-MAH nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation method. XRD results revealed the formation of PLA nanocomposites as the OMMT was intercalated and exfoliated.