Crystallization and melting behavior of nanoclay-containing polypropylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) blends

This contribution concerns preparation and characterization of polypropylene (PP)/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) melt-mixed blends in the presence of organically-modified montmorillonite nanoclays and functional compatibilizers. Immiscibility and nanocomposite formation were confirmed via transmission electron microscopy. An intercalated structure was observed by wide angle X-ray diffraction technique. Crystallization, and melting characteristics were studied by differential scanning calorimetry in both isothermal and non-isothermal modes, supplemented by temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC). A concurrent crystallization was found for both polymeric components in the blends. Whereas blending favored PP crystallizability, it interrupted that of PTT. The addition compatibilizers interfered with rate, temperature, and degree of crystallization of PP and PTT. On the contrary, nanoclays incorporation increased crystallizability of each individual component. However, as for blend nanocomposite samples, the way the crystallization behavior changed was established to depend on the type of nanoclay. Based on kinetic analysis, isothermal crystallization nucleation followed athermal mechanism, while that of non-isothermal obeyed thermal mode. Addition of nanoclays shifted nucleation mechanism from athermal to thermal mode

Tuning the processability, morphology and biodegradability of clay incorporated PLA/LLDPE blends via selective localization of nanoclay induced by melt mixing sequence

Polylactic acid (PLA)/linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) blend nanocomposites based on two different commercial-grade nanoclays, Cloisite® 30B and Cloisite® 15A, were produced via different melt mixing procedures in a counter-rotating twin screw extruder. The effects of mixing sequence and clay type on morphological and rheological behaviors as well as degradation properties of the blends were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that generally the level of exfoliation in 30B based nanocomposites was better than 15A based nanocomposites. In addition, due to difference in hydrophilicity and kind of modifiers in these two clays, the effect of 30B on refinement of dispersed phase and enhancement of biodegradability of PLA/LLDPE blend was much more remarkable than that of 15A nanoclay. Unlike the one step mixing process, preparation of nanocomposites via a two steps mixing process improved the morphology. Based on the XRD and TEM (transmission electron microscopic) results, it is found that the mixing sequence has a remarkable influence on dispersion and localization of the major part of 30B nanoclay in the PLA matrix. Owing to the induced selective localization of nanoclays in PLA phase, the nanocomposites prepared through a two steps mixing sequence exhibited extraordinary biodegradability, refiner morphology and better melt elasticity