Halloysite nanotube- and organoclay-filled biodegradable poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate)/maleated polyethylene blend-based nanocomposites with enhanced rigidity

In this study, halloysite nanotube (HNT) and organo-montmorillonite (15A) served as reinforcing fillers to successfully prepare poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA)/maleated polyethylene (PEgMA) blend-based ternary nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the selective localization of HNT and 15A within the PEgMA domains, and the nanofillers modified the interface of PBSA/PEgMA blend. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that PEgMA facilitated the crystallization of PBSA, and HNT further enhanced the nucleation of PBSA. Both nanofillers assisted in the isothermal crystallization of PBSA in the composites, with HNT demonstrating superior efficiency. Melting behavior study implies that the stability of PBSA crystals were enhanced with the presence of PEgMA counterpart, and further increased in the ternary composites. The rigidity of PBSA, including Young's/flexural moduli, evidently increased after forming the ternary composites. The addition of 4 wt% HNT showed higher enhancing efficiency than 15A of 5 wt% addition. The rheological property measurements confirmed the achievement of pseudo-network structure in the ternary composites but not in the blend.