ABSTRACT
In this article, a novel method, amidation, was used to modify saponite. Amidated ammonium citrate intercalated saponite (Aa-saponite) was synthesized by amidation reaction. The structure of Aa-saponite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), demonstrating that the saponite was successfully amidated. Polylactic acid/amidated ammonium citrate intercalated saponite nanocomposites (PLA/Aa-saponite) were prepared by melt blending. Mechanical tests demonstrated that the addition of Aa-saponite (0.3 wt%) improved the impact strength of PLA. A series of performance analysis results showed that A-saponite improved the comprehensive performance of PLA, such as mechanical, thermal stability, crystallization and rheological properties.
Graphical abstract
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Acknowledgments
Supports from School of Mechanical Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology are greatly acknowledged.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Heng Ding
Heng Ding is a master at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology. His main research is the structure and properties of polymer composites.
Dandan Liu
Dandan Liu is a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering, Anhui University of Science and Technology. Her main research area is mechanical composites, including polymer composites.