Nanocomposites of poly[(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate)] (PBSA) and twice-functionalized organoclay

A new method is described to prepare composites of poly[(butylene succinate)-co-(butylene adipate)] (PBSA) with an organophilic clay having a particular functional group, namely twice-functionalized organoclay (TFC). TFCs were produced by treating Cloisite 25A((R)) with (glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxy silane (GPS) or (methacryloyloxypropyl)trimethoxy silane (MPS). Reaction of the silane compound with the organoclay surface was monitored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). PBSA composites with the three different clays were prepared successfully via melt mixing. The d spacing and the morphology of the composites were monitored by X-ray diffraction and by transmission electron microscopy. The linear storage modulus of the composites in the melt state increased significantly as a result of incorporation of TFC. Tensile modulus and strength at break of PBSA/TFC-GPS and those of PBSA/TFC-MPS were far superior to those of PBSA/C25A. (c) 2005 Society of Chemical Industry.