Preparation of poly(propylene carbonate)/organo-vermiculite nanocomposites via direct melt intercalation

Intercalated nanocomposites comprised of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and organo-vermiculite (OVMT) was first prepared via direct melt compounding of the alkali-vermiculite intercalated host with PPC in a twin rotary mixer. The dispersion and morphologies of OVMT within PPC were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic techniques. The results revealed the formation of intercalated-exfoliated vermiculite sheets in the PPC matrix. Because of the thermally sensitive nature of PPC, thermal degradation occurred during the melt compounding. The degradation led to a deterioration of the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Tensile test showed that the yield strength and modulus of the nanocomposites decrease with increasing vermiculite content. The degradation mechanism was discussed according to the results of GPC and TGA measurements.