Abstract
The present work investigates the distribution of nanoclay particles at the interface
and their influence on the microstructure development and non-linear rheological properties of
reactively processed biodegradable polylactide/poly(butylene succinate) blend nanocomposites.
Two types of organoclays, one is more hydrophilic (Cloisite®30B (C30B)) and another one is more
hydrophobic (BetsopaTM (BET)), were used at different concentrations. Surface and transmission
electron microscopies were respectively used to study the blend morphology evolution and for probing
the dispersion and distribution of nanoclay platelets within the blend matrix and at the interface.
The results suggested that both organoclays tended to localize at the interface between the blend’s
two phases and encapsulate the dispersed poly(butylene succinate) phase, thereby suppressing
coalescence. Using small angle X-ray scattering the probability of finding neighboring nanoclay
particles in the blend matrix was calculated using the Generalized Indirect Fourier Transformation
technique. Fourier Transform-rheology was utilized for quantifying nonlinear rheological responses
and for correlating the extent of dispersion as well as the blend morphological evolution, for different
organoclay loadings. The rheological responses were in good agreement with the X-ray scattering and
electron microscopic results. It was revealed that C30B nanoparticles were more efficient in stabilizing
the morphologies by evenly distributing at the interface. Nonlinear coefficient from FT-rheology was
found to be more pronounced in case of blends filled with C30B, indicating better dispersion of C30B
compare with BET which was in agreement with the SAXS results.