Abstract
Partially exfoliated nanocomposite (2) has been synthesized by intercalation of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) into commercial clay, Cloisite 20B (PPC/C-20B). Nanocomposite 2 was characterized phiso-chemically and exhibited high thermal, mechanical and anti-water sorption properties as compared to PPC and intercalated nanocomposite (1) of PPC/C-20B having same amount of clay. TGA results revealed that the thermal decomposition temperature (T (d, 50%)) of 2 increased significantly, being 40 K and 17 K higher than that of pure PPC and 1, respectively, while DSC measurements indicated that the nano-filler dispersion of 2 increased the glass transition temperature from 21A degrees C to 31A degrees C. Accordingly, 2 showed high elastic modulus, hardness and anti-water absorption capacity. These thermal, mechanical and anti-water absorption improvements are of great importance for the application of PPC as packaging and biomaterials.