Microstructure, tensile properties, and biodegradability of aliphatic polyester/clay nanocomposites

Novel biodegradable aliphatic polyester (APES)/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared through melt intercalation method. Two kinds of organoclays, Cloisite 30B and Cloisite 10A with different ammonium cations located in the silicate gallery, were chosen for the nanocomposites preparation. The dispersion of the silicate layers in the APES hybrids was characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Tensile properties and the biodegradability of the APES/organoclay nanocomposites were also studied. APES/Cloisite 30B hybrids showed higher degree of intercalation than APES/Cloisite 10A hybrids due to the strong hydrogen bonding interaction between APES and hydroxyl group in the gallery of Cloisite 30B silicate layers. This leads to higher tensile properties and lower biodegradability for APES/Cloisite 30B hybrids than for the APES/Cloisite 10A hybrids. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.