Effect of EPM-g-MAH on the Flexural and Morphological Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Organo-montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Abstract

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.

Keywords

poly(lactic acid)organo-montmorillonite EPM-g-MAH nanocomposites.

References

Utracki, L.A. (2004). Clay-Containing Polymeric Nanocomposites, Rapra Technology Ltd., UK.

Paul, M.A. , Alexandre, M. , Degee, P. , Henrist, C. , Rulmont, A. and Dubois, P. (2003). New Nanocomposite Materials Based on Plasticized Poly(L-lactide) and Organo-modified Montmorillonites: Thermal and Morphological Study, Polymer, 44: 443-450.

Choi, H.J. , Kim, J.W. and Jhon, M.S. (2006). Polymer Clay Nanocomposites: Encyclopedia of Chemical Processing, Surggu Lee (ed.), Taylor and Francis Group, pp. 2301-2312.

Sinha Ray, S. and Okamoto, M. (2003). Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: A Review from Preparation To Processing, Prog. Polym. Sci., 28: 1539-1641.

Feijoo, J.L. , Cabedo, L. , Gimenez , E. , Lagaron, J.M. and Saura, J.J. (2005). Development of Amorphous PLA-Montmorillonite Nanocomposites, J. Mater. Sci., 40: 1785-1788.

Okamoto, M. (2005). Biodegradable Polymer/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: A Review: Chapter 8, Handbook of Biodegradable Polymeric Materials and Their Applications, Mallapragada, S. and Narasimhan, B. (eds), pp. 1-45. American Scientific Publishers, USA.

Shen, Z. , Simon, G.P. and Cheng, Y.B. (2002). Comparison Solution and Melt Intercalation of Polymer-clay Nanocomposites, Polymer, 43: 4251-4260.

Thellen, C. , Orroth, C. , Froio, D. , Ziegler, D. , Lucciarini, J. , Farrell, R. , Ann D'souza, N. and Ratto, J.A. (2005). Influence of Montmorillonite Layered Silicate on Plasticized Poly(L-lactide) Blown Films, Polymer, 46: 11716-11727.

Wu, T.M. and Wu, C.Y. (2006). Biodegradable Poly(lactic acid)/Chitosan-modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Preparation and Characterization, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 91: 2198-2204.

10.

Chang, J.H. , An, Y.U. , Cho , D. and Giannelis, E.P. (2003). Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites: Comparison of their Properties with Montmorillonite and Synthetic mica (II) , Polymer, 44: 3715-3720.

11.

Wu, D. , Wu, L. , Wu, L.F. and Zhang, M. (2006). Rheology and Thermal Stability of Polylactide/clay Nanocomposites, Polym. Degrad. Stab., 91: 1-7.

12.

Chow, W.S. , Abu Bakar, A. , Mohd Ishak, Z.A. , Karger-Kocsis, J. and Ishiaku, U.S. (2005). Effect of Maleic Anhydride-grafted Ethylene-propylene Rubber on the Mechanical, Rheological and Morphological Properties of Organoclay Reinforced Polyamide 6/ polypropylene Nanocomposites, Eur. Polym. J., 41: 687-696.

13.

Aravinda, I. , Alberta, P. , Ranganathaiahc , C. , Kurianb, J.V. and Thomas, S. (2004). Compatibilizing Effect of EPM-g-MA in EPDM/poly(trimethylene-terephthalate) Incompatible Blends, Polymer, 45: 4925-4937.

14.

Kubies, D. , Scudla, J. , Puffr, R. , Sikora, A. , Baldrian, J. , Kovarova, J. , Slouf, M. and Rypacek, F. (2006). Structure and Mechanical Properties of Poly(L-lactide)/layered Silicate Nanocomposites, Eur. Poly. J., 42: 888-899.

15.

Ahn, Y.C. and Paul, D.R. (2006). Rubber Toughening of Nylon 6 Nanocomposites, Polymer, 47: 2830-2838.

16.

Lee, J.H. , Tae, G.P. , Ho , S.P. , Doo , S.L. , Young, K.L. , Sung, C.Y. and Jae , D.N. (2003). Thermal and Mechanical Characteristics of Poly(l-lactic acid) Nanocomposite Scaffold, Biomaterials, 24: 2773-2778.