Poly (trimethylene) terephthalate/m-LLDPE blend nanocomposites: Evaluation of mechanical, thermal and morphological behavior

PTT/m-LLDPE blends and its nanocomposites were prepared using melt blending technique in a batch mixer. Organically modified nanoclays have been used as nanoscale reinforcement to prepare blend nanocomposites. Mechanical tests revealed optimum performance characteristics at PTT/m-LLDPE ratio of 70:30. Further, incorporation of nanoclays showed higher tensile strength and modulus in the blend nanocomposites as compared to optimized blend. The nanocomposites formation has been established through X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The thermal measurements have been carried out using DSC and TGA. DSC thermograms revealed a maximum increase in the crystallization temperature in the presence of clays in the blend system containing Cloisite 30B. TGA thermograms indicated that the thermal stability of the blend increases with the incorporation of nanoclays. DMA measurements reveal that the Cloisite 30B nanocomposite has maximum modulus as compared to other nanocomposites.