Enhancing the integration of bentonite clay with polycaprolactone by intercalation with a cationic surfactant: effects on clay orientation and composite tensile properties

Polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanocomposites reinforced with different clay loadings (1.5, 3 and 5 wt%) of neat and organo-modified bentonites were successfully fabricated using twin-screw melt extrusion followed by melt compression. The whole processing of the materials, including the organic modifi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials science 2021-03, Vol.56 (9), p.5595-5608
Main Authors: Rivas-Rojas, Patricia C., Ollier, Romina P., Alvarez, Vera A., Huck-Iriart, Cristián
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bentonite
Biocides
Cations
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemistry and Materials Science
Classical Mechanics
Clay
Compacting
Composites & Nanocomposites
Crystallography and Scattering Methods
Intercalation
Materials Science
Mechanical properties
Modulus of elasticity
Nanocomposites
Polycaprolactone
Polymer Sciences
Small angle X ray scattering
Solid Mechanics
Surface active agents
Surfactants
Tensile properties
Tensile strength
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Summary:Polycaprolactone (PCL)-based nanocomposites reinforced with different clay loadings (1.5, 3 and 5 wt%) of neat and organo-modified bentonites were successfully fabricated using twin-screw melt extrusion followed by melt compression. The whole processing of the materials, including the organic modification of bentonite with benzalkonium chloride (CBK), which is a mixture of cationic surfactants with biocide properties, and the preparation of the nanocomposites by melt extrusion, was fully carried out at pilot scale. The resulting materials were structurally, thermally and mechanically characterized. Our results suggest that while raw natural bentonite acted as a regular inorganic reinforcement, CBK intercalation enhanced the compatibility of the clay with the polymeric matrix, evidenced in an increase in the tensile strength and Young's modulus in a factor of ca. 2 respect to neat PCL values, with only a 3 wt% organoclay loading. The modified clay presented a strong orientation within the matrix due to the material processing and manufacture, registered by small-angle X-ray scattering experiments. Graphical abstract
ISSN:0022-2461
1573-4803
DOI:10.1007/s10853-020-05603-5