Characterization of two commercial nanoclays and the morphology modification of the PHB obtained

R.M. TORRES SANCHEZ; M. S. CONCONI; A. BOTANA; M. MOLLO; P. EISENBERG

Zakopane Poland

Conferencia; 4th Mid European Clay Conference; 2008

To minimize the environmental problem generated by the conventional plastics, major chemical companies worldwide are moving towards partly replacing traditional petrochemical commodity polymers with biopolymers which would allow to the reduction of xenobiotics in the environment and load on landfills. The biodegradable polymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) emerge as possible palliatives, being Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) the most widespread and thoroughly characterized PHAs. The use commercial nanoclays (5-10% in weight) for the obtention of nanocomposites have received special attention because of their improved properties compared with conventional filler composites (GARCIA-LOPEZ et al, 2003). In this work, the effect of the process conditions (5% nanoclays, 165 ºC, 50 rpm and 30 min stirring) on the structure of the final material was studied for the preparation of PHB with commercial nanoclays (Cloisite Na+ and Cloisite 30B from Southern Clay Products). Nanoclays and Products were characterized by XRD, TEM and DTA and DSC. Specific surface (by water vapor adsorption) of nanoclays were also measured. DTA analysis of Cloisite Na+ and Cloisite 30B showed the key role on the organic anion on thermal stability of organoclays in agreement with that found by CERVANTES-UC et al.(2007). An increase in the crystallization temperature and smaller spherule sizes for the mixtures with the clays regarding the PHB was observed