Poly(<scp>L</scp>-lactide)/Poly(<scp>D</scp>-lactide)/clay nanocomposites: Enhanced dispersion, crystallization, mechanical properties, and hydrolytic degradation

poly(l-lactide) (plla)/poly(d-lactide) (pdla)/clay nanocomposites are prepared via simple melt blending method at pdla loadings from 5 to 20 wt%. formation of the stereocomplex crystals in the nanocomposites is confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (waxd). the internal structure of the nanocomposites has been established by using waxd and transmission electron microscope analyses. the dispersion of clay in the plla/pdla/clay nanocomposites can be improved as a result of increased intensity of shear during melt blending. the overall crystallization rates are faster in the plla/pdla/clay nanocomposites than in plla/clay nanocomposite and increase with an increase in the pdla loading up to 10 wt%; however, the crystallization mechanism and crystal structure of these nanocomposites remain unchanged despite the presence of pdla. the storage modulus has been apparently improved in the plla/pdla/clay nanocomposites with respect to plla/clay nanocomposite. moreover, it is found that the hydrolytic degradation rates have been enhanced obviously in the plla/pdla/clay nanocomposites than in plla/clay nanocomposite. polym. eng. sci., 54:914-924, 2014. (c) 2013 society of plastics engineers