Effect of the compatibilizing agent on the structure, mechanical and thermal properties of polylactide filled with modified and unmodified montmorillonite

Polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by an extrusion technique using a twin‐screw extruder. Nanofil2 (N) and montmorillonite (MMT) K10 (S) were used as nanoclays. To improve the nanoclay dispersion in the PLA matrix, a compatibilizer was introduced [poly(ε‐caprolactone) (K)]. The structure and morphology of obtained materials were determined using X‐ray diffraction technique and transmission electron microscopy. Thermal properties of nanocomposites were reviewed based on differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermogravimetry. Mechanical properties such as tensile stress and tensile strength were also studied. The introduction of layered silicates without a compatibilizer into PLA matrix did not improve the mechanical properties of the obtained nanocomposites. This research indicated that the compatibilizing agent can be used to improve the dispersion of Nanofil2 nanofiller, which resulted in the improvement of mechanical properties and at the same time did not affect the dispersion of the unmodified MMT. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1330–1337, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers