Structure−Property Relationship in Biodegradable Poly(butylene succinate)/Layered Silicate Nanocomposites

TLDR

Understanding the structure–property relationship in polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is fundamental for designing materials with desired properties. The study aims to elucidate the structure–property relationships in PBS/OMLS nanocomposites by examining their rheological behavior. PBS/OMLS nanocomposites were prepared by melt intercalation using two organo-modified clays (octadecylammonium-modified montmorillonite and quaternary hexadecyl tri‑butylphosphonium bromide–modified saponite) and characterized at the nanoscale with WAXD and TEM. Flocculated nanocomposite structures markedly influence mechanical properties in both solid and melt states, as well as other material characteristics.

Abstract

Understanding the structure−property relationship in polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is of fundamental importance in designing materials with desired properties. To understand these relations in the case of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) nanocomposites, we studied the rheological properties of these materials in detail, because the rheological behavior of polymer/OMLS nanocomposites is strongly influenced by their nanostructure and the interfacial characteristics. For this reason, a series of PBS/OMLS nanocomposites were prepared using a simple melt intercalation technique. Two different types of OMLS, montmorillonite (mmt) modified with octadecylammonium chloride and saponite (sap) modified with quaternary hexadecyl tri-n-butylphosphonium bromide, were used for the nanocomposite preparations. The structure of nanocomposites in the nanometer scale was characterized using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) analyses and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. A flocculated structure has a strong effect on mechanical properties (both in solid and melts) and various other materials properties.