Layered Double Hydroxides as Nano Additives in Poly(ϵ-caprolactone)

Abstract

Poly(ϵ-caprolactone) nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding with organo-modified layered double hydroxides (LDH). The LDH were intercalated with stearic acid (LDH-stearate) or with sodium dodecyl sulphate (LDH-SDS). Nanocomposites morphology was studied by XRD and TEM. Thermal properties were analysed by TG and DSC. Although both systems showed presence of a mixed morphology, exfoliated and intercalated, LDH-stearate nanocomposites showed a better dispersion of inorganic platelets. TEM images showed the presence of individual platelets in the PCL matrix. LDH-SDS nanocomposites.

Keywords:

• Polycaprolactone
• nanocomposites
• exfoliation

Acknowledgments

This work is based on research supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) through the Institutional Research Development Programme (IRDP); the South Africa/Mozambique Collaboration Programme, and the South Africa/Germany Research Collaboration Programme. Financial support from the Bundesministerium für Forschung (BMF) and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research in Dresden, is also gratefully acknowledged.