Material characterisationDynamic and structural evaluation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) layered nanocomposites

Layered poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) nanostructured materials were prepared containing two commercial organophilic clays, Viscogel B8 and Viscogel S7, at clay concentrations of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10%. The materials obtained were characterized by the traditional methods of X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy, as well as an alternative method, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance. The nanostructured materials obtained presented an excellent degree of intercalation/exfoliation and the clay was able to promote changes in the polymer's structure, reducing its crystallinity degree.