Strategies for Polycaprolactone - Clay Nanocomposite Films Preparation

LEANDRO LUDUEÑA; VERA ALVAREZ; ANALÍA VÁZQUEZ

Santiago de Compostela

Congreso; FIRST Young Polymer Scientists Conference and Fifth Short Course on Block Copolymer-Based Nanomaterials; 2007

Nanocomposites of C30B and PCL were prepared by two techniques: casting (laboratory scaletechnique) and intensive mixing. In the case of casting, dichloromethane produced holes in theevaporation surface decreasing the mechanical properties. An appropriate solvent is critical in theapplication of this technique. In both cases, a mixed clay structure, intercalated and exfoliated,coexisted in nanocomposites. The dispersion degree was higher for intensive mixing and noevidence of particles agglomeration was found while for casting the agglomeration of clayparticles seems to begin at 7.5 wt. %. Therefore, shear forces during processing are critical toobtain well-dispersed nanocomposites and to achieve a good mechanical performance.