Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.127, No.3, 1615-1622, 2013
Preparation and some properties of stereocomplex-type poly(lactic acid)/layered silicate nanocomposites
Stereocomplex-type poly(lactic acid)- [PLA]- based blends were prepared by solution casting of equimolar PLLA/PDLA with different amounts of organo-modified montmorillonite. The homocrystallization and stereocomplexation of PLAs were enhanced by annealing of the blends. The stereocomplexation of PLAs, intercalation of the polymer chains between the silicates layers, and morphological structure of the filled PLAs were analyzed by wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and tensile test were performed to study the thermal and mechanical properties of the blends. The homo- and stereocomplex crystallization of neat PLLA/PDLA were enhanced by annealing. The effect of annealing on the crystallization was emphasized by the addition of clay. With this structural change, thermal stabilities properties were also improved by the addition of clay. The silicate layers of the clay were slightly stacked but intercalated and distributed in the PLA-matrix. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 127: 1615-1622, 2013