Polylactide-Layered Silicate Nanocomposite: A Novel Biodegradable Material

Abstract

This letter describes the preparation, characterization, material properties, and biodegradability of polylactide (PLA)-layered silicate nanocomposite. Montmorillonite modified with trimethyl octadecylammonium cation was used as an organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) for the nanocomposite preparation. WAXD and TEM analyses respectively confirmed that silicate layers of the montmorillonite were intercalated and nicely distributed in the PLA-matrix. The material properties of neat PLA improved remarkably after nancomposite preparation. The biodegradability of the neat PLA and corresponding nanocomposite was studied under compost, and the rate of biodegradation of neat PLA increased significantly after nanocomposite preparation.