New clay‐reinforced nanocomposites based on a polycarbonate/polycaprolactone blend

Abstract

Abstract New clay‐reinforced polymer nanocomposites based on poly(carbonate of bisphenol A) (PC)/poly(caprolactone) (PCL) blends have been obtained by mixing PC with minor amounts of PCL in which a widely dispersed organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was present. Upon the addition of PCL/OMMT, the T g of the matrix and the viscosity of the nanocomposites decreased and therefore processability increased. This was attributed to both the presence of PCL and the migration of some surfactant to the polymeric matrix. The intercalation level observed by X‐Ray diffraction was similar to that obtained in PC nanocomposites, and the dispersion level was at least similar, as observed directly by transmission electron microscopy and indirectly by modulus measurements. However, the benefits of both clay and PCL were present together in the nanocomposites, besides the improved processability and the expected improvement of barrier properties. This led to increases in modulus of elasticity, yield strength, and although slight, mostly in ductility. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:864–873, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers