Synthesis of Polylactide Nanocomposites Using an α-Zirconium Phosphate Nanosheet-Supported Zinc Catalyst via in Situ Polymerization

Immobilized catalysis integrates the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalyst systems and thus has attracted high attention. Herein, we report the synthesis of a novel immobilized catalyst, ZrP-Zn, via the fixation of the Schiff-base Zn complex onto alpha-zirconium phosphate (ZrP) nanosheets. The prepared ZrP Zn catalyst was applied to synthesize a polylactide (PLA)-based nanocomposite via in situ polymerization, during which the heterogeneous ZrP Zn catalyst first served as the catalyst during the polymerization of lactide, and subsequently acted as the nanofiller for the synthesized PLA matrix. The polymerization process offers an inherently superior dispersion as well as leading to a strong interaction between the ZrP nanosheets that act as the catalyst support and the PLA matrix, therefore effectively improving the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of PLA.