Maya Blue as natural coloring fillers in a multi-scale polymer-clay nanocomposite

The purpose of this article is to understand the underlying mechanisms of the potential of nanohybrids. Two types of fillers were dispersed in a biocompatible organic matrix, poly-(hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA): either a natural fibrous clay (pristine sepiolite), or a natural nanopigment (Maya Blue). In comparison with the pure polymer, the mechanical properties of the composites have been already greatly improved with the addition a small amount of Maya Blue. However the PHEA/pristine sepiolite nanohybrid gives better results than the PHEA/Maya Blue for the same ratio of fillers. The stress-strain curves (with unloading and reloading) show that the presence of indigo modifies the interactions between the filler and the matrix. These analyses demonstrate that there is a direct correlation between the filler/matrix local interactions, the dispersion of the fillers and some macroscopical mechanical properties.