Mechanical Properties, Morphology and Thermal Degradation of PCL (Poly ε - Caprolactone) Biodegradable Polymer Blended Nanocomposites with Aceh Bentonite as Filler

Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an important polymer due to its mechanical properties, miscibility with a large range of other polymers and biodegradability. Polycaprolactone (PCL) was chosen as the matrix because of its biodegradability characteristics. This paper reports on an investigation of the influence of the presence of bentonite. It was found that of bentonite significantly influenced the mass loss behavior of the nanocomposite because of physical interactions between the clay and the polymer chains and degradation volatiles. Melt drawing of the composite, however, had little influence on the degradation behavior of the investigated samples. Based on mechanical properties results, addition of bentonite significantly enhances the flexibility of PCL blends. TGA showed that the presence of bentonite improves thermal stability of blends.