Structure and Properties of PHA/Clay Nano‐Biocomposites Prepared by Melt Intercalation

PHA‐based nano‐biocomposites have been prepared by melt intercalation. Two main PHAs, poly(hydroxybutyrate) and poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate) have been studied. Structural characterizations were conducted by advanced techniques like SAXS and TEM. A recent method has determined the degree of clay intercalation and dispersion using solid‐state NMR. Well intercalated small tactoids (3–10 layers) homogeneously dispersed into the polymer are obtained when good PHA–clay affinity exists, i.e., with organo‐modified MMT. In the case of non‐modified MMT, microcomposites are evidenced. Crystallization, mechanical, and thermal properties have been correlated to the materials structures. magnified image