Thermal and Biodegradable Properties of Poly(l-lactide)/Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Compounded with Functionalized Organoclay
(59-68) Journal of Polymers and the Environment 19 #1 (2011)
Li, Yoon and Chen of the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China and Inha University, China,  compounded poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) blends were compounded with commercially available organoclay Cloisite 25A (C25A) and C25A functionalized with epoxy groups.  Incorporating epoxy groups on C25A improved significantly mechanical properties of PLLA/PCL/C25A.  Thermo gravimetric analysis revealed that the nanocomposites with exfoliated silicate layers were more thermally stable than those with intercalated silicate layers. The biodegradability of the neat PLLA/PCL and corresponding nanocomposite was studied under compost, and the rate of biodegradation of PLLA/PCL increased after nanocomposite preparation.  (RDC 4/22/2011)