Thermal, Mechanical, and Rheological Characterization of Polylactic Acid/Halloysite Nanotube Nanocomposites

摘要

Halloysite nanotube (HNT) clay and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) nanocomposites were fabricated by a melt-blending method with five different clay levels (1, 3, 5, 7, and 9wt%). The effect of HNT loading on the thermal and mechanical properties of the PLA/HNT nanocomposites was examined by thermogravimetric analysis and universal tensile testing, respectively. Morphological characteristics were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. The composites' melt rheological characteristic analyses were conducted using a rotational rheometer in both steady-shear and oscillatory dynamic testing modes. The data were found to be well-analyzed using the Carreau model, Cox-Merz rule, modified Cole-Cole plot, and van Gurp-Palmen plot.