Nanocomposites of PLA and PCL based on montmorillonite and sepiolite

PLA and PCL nanocomposites prepared by adding two organically modified montmorillonites and one sepiolite were obtained by melt blending. Materials were characterized by Wide Angle X-ray analysis (WAXS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Dynamic-Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA). All clays showed a good dispersion level with both polymeric matrices, whilst the highest thermomechanical improvements were reached depending on type of clay. These improvements were considerably higher in the case of PLA based nanocomposites probably because of a higher polymer/filler compatibility