Poly(butylene succinate)/Organo-montmorillonite Nanocomposites: Effects of the Organoclay Content on Mechanical, Thermal, and Moisture Absorption Properties

Organo-montmorillonite (OMMT)-filled poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) nanocomposites were prepared by a melt mixing process with internal mixer, at various loading levels (i.e., 2-10 wt%) of OMMT. The effects of clay loading towards the mechanical and thermal properties were investigated through various characterizations such as melt flow index (MFI), density, mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), heat deflection temperature (HDT), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The 2 wt% OMMT-filled PBS gave the highest strength among the rest due to higher degree of exfoliation of layered silicates in PBS matrix. Further increment in OMMT loading had reduced the strength of nanocomposites, which believed to be the result of agglomerations. This can be further confirmed by XRD and TEM. However, increment in clay loading had enhanced the modulus of nanocomposites. Higher OMMT loading tends to give higher melt viscosity because of the presence of clay particles. Moisture absorption at different conditions was performed. The results showed that higher OMMT loading and moisture level tend to increase the overall moisture uptake and also the diffusion coefficient.