Poly (lactic acid)/ poly (butylene succinate) (PLA/PBS) nanocomposites for thin film applications

PLA/PBS/Cloisite 30BX (organically modified MMT) clay nancomposites were prepared by using simple melt extrusion method. Composition of PLA and PBS polymers were fixed as 80% and 20% by weight for all the nanocomposites. Nanocomposites containing 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 wt% of C30BX contents were prepared to investigate the effect of clay content on morphological, rheological and thermal and gas barrier properties of these nanocomposites. Gas permeability, morphological, rheological, thermal properties of nanocomposites prepared with the mixing of PLA, PBS and organically modified layered silicate were investigated. From morphological studies using wide angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, nanocomposite having 1 wt% of clay was considered to attain mixed morphology of intercalated and exfoliated structure, while some clusters or agglomerated particles were detected for nanocomposites having 3 and more than 3 wt% of clay content. Calorimetry investigations revealed the fundamental glass transition behaviour of the nanocomposites and influence of clay exfoliation. Gas barrier properties were measured for oxygen and water vapours. Oxygen barrier property improved significantly as compared to water vapour.