Study of preparation for co-polymer nanocomposites using PLA/LDPE/CTAB modified clay

Abstract

Study of preparation involve the examination of the effects of operating variables on
mechanical properties of polylactic acid /low density polyethylene (PLA/LDPE)/clay
nanocomposites including tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break. Thermal
stability of these nanocomposites that’s investigated. Montmorillonite clay with alkyl
ammonium ion of hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was examined. Among
the parameters studied, PLA/ LDPE nanocomposites showed larger improvements in
mechanical properties compared to PLA/ LDPE blend due to higher shear forces exerted by
polymer blend matrix on clay aggregates during polymer-clay mixing. The original MMT
with Na+ cation results in weak improvements in mechanical properties compared to
organoclays. It was observed that the tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break of
the nanocomposite samples can be optimized with 4% of clay loading. The morphology and
chemical structure of the optimum sample were examined by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR
spectroscopy, respectively.