PLA/PBAT/layered Silicates blend nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation: Thermo-mechanical, rheological and morphological behavior.

J.P. CORREA; J. MAGGI; A. BACIGALUPE; P. EISENBERG

La Plata

Workshop; II Workshop on Bio-degradable Polymers and Biocomposites; 2015

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), aliphatic polyester produced from natural resources, is one of the most promising biodegradable materials because of its good physical properties such as high mechanical strength, transparency, printability and ease of processing with machines and equipments for classic polymers [1]. However some PLA characteristics like fragility, rigidity and the possibility of degradation during processing due to low thermal stability are restricting the range of applications. One strategy for overcome this drawbacks is the development of polymer blends of PLA with others biodegradable polymers with higher flexibility, toughness and thermal stability like poly (butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) [2]. In the other hand, the addition of layered silicates (MMT) to polymer matrices to elaborate nanocomposites is also associated with improvement of thermo-mechanical, rheological and barrier properties [3]. The aim of this study was to develop polymeric-clays nanocomposites using a biodegradable polymeric blend, and to evaluate the effect on type of MMT in its properties.