Thermal and tensile properties of poly(3- hydroxybutyrate)/ sepiolite nanocomposites

Abstract

Sepiolite treated using microwave and chemical technique were obtained and compounded with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). The effect of reaction times exposing to the microwave rays was studied and characterized through multipychonometer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 12 minutes was found to be the optimum reaction time in the microwave. Nanocomposites of PHB with different sepiolite loading (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wt %) were prepared using melt mixing. The thermal properties of the PHB nanocommposites were characterized through Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Addition of 2 wt% sepiolite into PHB increased the melting temperature and percent crystallinity of pure PHB. The crystallinity and melting temperature of PHB nanocomposites increased until 4 wt% loading and remained constant beyond 4 wt% sepiolite. Thermal stability of the nanocomposites slightly improved in the presence of sepiolite. Addition of sepiolite into PHB improved the tensile strength of pure PHB.