OBTAINING NANOCAPSULES FROM PHBEG/MMT COMPOSITE

摘要

The use of clays as reinforcement in polymeric matrices is an important way to develop hybrid materials derived from biodegradable polymers. Clays are natural inorganic filler, which might be employed to improve polymer properties in several aspects. In this study, we investigated the properties of nanocapsules obtained from poly[(3-hydroxybutyrate)-b-(ethylene glycol)] (PHBEG), a biodegradable amphiphilic polymer, and from PHBEG/MMT composite (MMT = natural montmorillonite clay). The composite was prepared by dispersion of clays and dissolution of PHBEG in organic solvent. The capsules were prepared by emulsification-diffusion method. The characterization by SEM to observe shape and size showed different results PHBEG and PHBEG/MMT capsules. Rotational stress test was realized for nanocapsules obtained to observe their mechanical stability, which indicated that the nanocapsules prepared with PHBEG/MMT composite presented improved properties compared to the nanocapsules prepared with PHBEG polymer.