Biodegradable PLA/PBSA Multinanolayer Nanocomposites: Effect of Nanoclays Incorporation in Multinanolayered Structure on Mechanical and Water Barrier Properties

Biodegradable PLA/PBSA multinanolayer nanocomposites were obtained from semi-crystalline poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) (PBSA) nanolayers filled with nanoclays and confined against amorphous poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanolayers in a continuous manner by applying an innovative coextrusion technology. The cloisite 30B (C30B) filler incorporation in nanolayers was considered to be an improvement of barrier properties of the multilayer films additional to the confinement effect resulting to forced assembly during the multilayer coextrusion process. 2049-layer films of ~300 µm thick were processed containing loaded PBSA nanolayers of ~200 nm, which presented certain homogeneity and were mostly continuous for the 80/20 wt% PLA/PBSA composition. The nanocomposite PBSA films (monolayer) were also processed for comparison. The presence of exfoliated and intercalated clay structure and some aggregates were observed within the PBSA nanolayers depending on the C30B content. A greater reduction of macromolecular chain segment mobility was measured due to combined effects of confinement effect and clays constraints. The absence of both polymer and clays interdiffusions was highlighted since the PLA glass transition was unchanged. Besides, a larger increase in local chain rigidification was evidenced through RAF values due to geometrical constraints initiated by close nanoclay contact without changing the crystallinity of PBSA. Tortuosity effects into the filled PBSA layers adding to confinement effects induced by PLA layers have caused a significant improvement of water barrier properties through a reduction of water permeability, water vapor solubility and water vapor diffusivity. The obtaining barrier properties were successfully correlated to microstructure, thermal properties and mobility of PBSA amorphous phase.