Effect of clay mineral addition on properties of bio-based polymer blends

The effect of clay mineral addition to bio-based blends on morphology and physical properties of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA) was investigated. Blends and nanocomposites containing organoclay, Cloisite 30B, were prepared by melt mixing and characterized by several techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, STEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrate a very good dispersion of the clay mineral in the polymer matrix, an increase of polymer compatibility and an improvement of mechanical properties. Biodegradation studies performed in compost revealed that Cloisite 30B addition enhanced the matrix biodegradability. Therefore clay minerals, which can be obtained from natural resources, can be efficiently used to improve the properties of bio-based materials and contribute to sustainability.The authors acknowledge the n-STeP - Nanostructured systems for Tail, with reference NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000039, supported by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2), PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2013 (Strategic Project - LA 25 - 2013-2014)