Nanocomposites from Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) Blend with Organoclay

Abstract

New biobased, ecofriendly nanocomposites were prepared from polycaprolactone (PCL)/soy protein isolate (SPI) blend (80/20 wt/wt) with organically modified clay, by melt compounding. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that an intercalated nanocomposite was formed and the silicate layers of the clay were uniformly dispersed at a nanometer scale in matrix polymer. There was great enhancement of both tensile and dynamic mechanical properties in the nanocomposite. A rheological study revealed that the nanocomposite exhibits strong shear-thinning behavior in the melted state, and a percolated network of clay particles was formed in the melted state.

Keywords:

• Nanocomposite
• Organoclay
• Polycaprolactone
• Soy protein isolate

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

One of the authors (Young-Wook Chang) acknowledges support from Sustainable Building Research Center of Hanyang University (ERC program of MOST, grant R11-2005-056-04006-0).