Effect of attapulgite on the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties of poly(butylene succinate) nanocomposites

Attapulgite (AT)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending. Crystalline properties of composites were observed by a polarized optical microscope (POM). Decrease in spherulitic size of PBS was found in pristine-layered inorganic materials, while the change of crystallinity and crystallite size in the modified system was insignificant due to the improvement in miscibility between the inorganic material and polymer. The variation in number and size of spherulite had a strong effect on the impact strength and flexural modulus. The heat distortion temperature (HDT) of modified nanocomposites can be enhanced by comparing with the unmodified system. Furthermore, compared to pristine PBS and unmodified inorganics/PBS composites, the modified inorganic materials/PBS nanocomposite showed an elevated Young's modulus, which was 729.6 MPa.