Abstract
Organically modified montmorillonite clays were incorporated at a 5% loading level into film grade of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) using a variety of masterbatches based on either semi-crystalline or amorphous poly-(lactic acid), as well as biodegradable aromatic aliphatic polyester. The PLLA masterbatches and compounded formulations were prepared using a twin screw compounding extruder, while the films were prepared using a single screw cast film extruder. The thermal and mechanical properties of the films were examined in order to determine the effect of the clay and different carriers on the polymer–clay interactions. In the optimal case, when a PLLA-based masterbatch was used, the tensile modulus increased by 30%, elongation increased by 40%, and the cold crystallization temperature decreased by 15 °C, compared to neat PLLA. The properties improvement of PLLA films containing nano clays demonstrated the possibility to extend the range of biodegradable film applications, especially in the field of packaging.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Scott G (2000) Invited review ‘Green’ polymers. Polym Degrad Stab 68:1–7
Lepoittevin B, Devalckenaere M, Pantoustier N, Alexandre M, Kubies D, Calberg C, Jerome R, Dubois P (2002) Poly(ɛ-caprolactone)/clay nanocomposites prepared by melt intercalation: mechanical, thermal and rheological properties. Polymer 43:4017–4023
Ray SS, Yamada K, Okamoto M, Ueda K (2003) New polylactide-layered silicate nanocomposites 2. Concurrent improvements of material properties, biodegradability and melt rheology. Polymer 44:857–866
Galegoa N, Rozsa CI, Sanchez R, Fung J, Vázquez A, Tomas JS (2000) Characterization and application of poly(b-hydroxyalkanoates) family as composite biomaterials. Polym Test 19:485–492
Ray SS, Yamada K, Okamoto M, Ogami A, Ueda K (2003) New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites. 3. High-performance biodegradable materials. Chem Mater 15:1456–1465
Ray SS, Yamada K, Okamoto M, Fujimoto Y, Ogami A, Ueda K (2003) New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites. 5. Designing of materials with desired properties. Polymer 44:6633–6646
Ray SS, Yamada K, Ogami A, Okamoto M, Ueda K (2002) New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposite nanoscale control over multiple properties. Macromol Rapid Commun 23:943–947
Ray SS, Maiti P, Okamoto M, Yamada K, Ueda K (2002) New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites. 1. preparation, characterization, and properties. Macromolecules 35:3104–3110
Maiti P, Yamada K, Okamoto M, Ueda K, Okamoto K (2002) New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites: role of organoclays. Chem Mater 14:4654–4661
Ray SS, Okamoto K, Okamoto M (2003) Structure–property relationship in biodegradable poly(butylenes succinate)/layered silicate nanocomposites. Macromolecules 36:2355–2367
Ray SS, Yamada K Okamoto M, Ueda K (2002) Polylactide-layered silicate nanocomposite: a novel biodegradable material. Nano Lett 2:1093–1096
Alexandre M, Dubois P (2000) Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: preparation, properties and uses of a new class of materials. Mater Sci Eng 28:1–63
LeBaron PC, Wang Z, Pinnavaia TJ (1999) Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites: an overview. Appl Clay Sci 15:11–29
Paul MA, Alexandre M, Degee P, Henrist C, Rulmont A, Dubois P (2003) New nanocomposite materials based on plasticized poly-(L-lactide) and organo-modified montmorillonites: thermal and morphological study. Polymer 44:443–450
Thellen CT (2003) Investigation of the processing and characterization of blown film nanocomposites consisting of polylactic acid and organically modified montmorillonite clay. Master’s Thesis, UMASS Lowell, Lowell
Zhang JF, Sun X (2004) Mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of poly-(lactic acid) blended with dendritic hyperbranched polymer. Polym Int 53:716–722
Cai H, David V, Gross RA, McCarthy SP (1996) Effects of physical aging, crystallinity, and orientation on the enzymatic degradation of poly-(lactic acid). J Polym Sci B. Polym Phys 34:2701–2708
Lee JH, Park TG, Park HS, Lee DS, Lee YK, Yoon SC, Nam JD (2003) Thermal and mechanical characteristics of poly-(L lactic acid) nanocomposite scaffold. Biomaterials 24:2773–2778
Nam JY, Ray SS, Okamoto M (2003) Crystallization behavior and morphology of biodegradable polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposite. Macromolecules 36:7126–7131
Maiti P, Nam PH, Okamoto M (2002) Influence of crystallization on intercalation, morphology, and mechanical properties of polypropylene/clay nanocomposites. macromolecules 35:2042–2049
Ke T, Sun X (2003) Melting behavior and crystallization kinetics of starch and poly(lactic acid) composites. J Appl Polym Sci 89:1203–1210
Tsuji H, Ikada Y (1996) Blends of isotactic and atactic poly-(lactide)s: 2. Molecular-weight effects of atactic component on crystallization and morphology of equimolar blends from the melt. Polymer 37:595–602
Tsuji H, Ikada Y (1997) Blends of crystalline and amorphous poly(lactide). III. hydrolysis of solution-cast blend films. J Appl Polym Sci 63:855–863
Tsuji H, Ikada Y (1992) Stereocomplex formation between enantiomeric poly-(lactic acid)s 6. Binary blends from copolymers. Macromolecules 25:5719–5723
Chang JH, An YU, Cho D, Giannelis EP (2003) Poly-(lactic acid) nanocomposites: comparison of their properties with montmorillonite and synthetic mica (II). Polymer 44:3715–3720
Lee SR, Park HM, Lim H, Kang T, Li X, Cho WJ, Ha CS (2002) Microstructure, tensile properties, and biodegradability of aliphatic polyester/clay nanocomposites. Polymer 43:2495–2500
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lewitus, D., McCarthy, S., Ophir, A. et al. The Effect of Nanoclays on the Properties of PLLA-modified Polymers Part 1: Mechanical and Thermal Properties. J Polym Environ 14, 171–177 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0007-6
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-006-0007-6