Synergistic effects in epoxy functionalized graphene and modified organo-montmorillonite PLA/PBAT blends

In this work, the organo-montmorillonites (OMt): non polar Cloisite15A and polar Cloiste30B, epoxy functionalized graphene (EFG) and OMt/EFG mixture were adopted as property enhancers for a blend based on poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). Blends of PLA/PBAT, OMt-PLA/PBAT, EFG-PLA/PBAT and OMt/EFG-PLA/PBAT were prepared, through the melt-blending technique. The morphological, interfacial, rheological and mechanical properties of the different systems were studied. A synergistic reinforcement was achieved by the combined incorporation of OMt with EFG in the PLA/PBAT blend, leading to improve rheological and mechanical properties. The storage modulus (G') increased because of formation stronger percolated networks by the dispersed nanofillers at low frequencies. Concerning tensile tests, an increase in elastic modulus and elongation at the break were observed. This synergistic reinforcement resulted from co-dispersion and interfacial interactions as shown by X-ray diffraction, TEM analysis and interfacial properties.