Nanocomposites of poly(trimethylene terephthalate) with various organoclays: morphology, mechanical and thermal properties

Three types of organoclay, 12C-MMT, 18C-MMT, and DK2-MMT, have been used to prepare poly(trimethylene terephthalate)(PTT)/organoclay nanocomposites via melt blending using a co-rotating twin screw extruder. The effect of different types of organoclays on morphology, thermal stability, static and dynamic mechanical properties was examined. The results of wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggest that different interaction between the different organoclays and the PTT matrix lead to different morphologies (intercalation or exfoliation) of the three types of nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) shows that the nanocomposites are more thermally stable than the neat PTT. Moreover, mechanical properties are improved for all the nanocomposites. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) shows that nano-sized organoclay dispersed in PTT matrix enhances the storage modulus of the material and causes change of the alpha relaxation of PTT. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.