ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the preparation and properties of biobased polymer nanocomposites composed of layered silicates as nanofiller. It discusses the preparation and characterization methods of biodegradable polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites. The chapter presents the mechanical, thermal and optical properties of Cloisite 10 A incorporated biodegradable polymers, poly(hydroxy-butyrate), poly(hydroxyl-butyrate-co-hydroxy-valerate) (PHBHV), polylactic acid, Corn zein (CZ) by considering structural importance of the layered silicates within the polymer matrix. Organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) acted as a nucleating agent in the PHBHV matrix, which increases the nucleation and over-all crystallization rate of nanocomposites. Incorporation of OMMT by solution intercalation into zein matrix significantly improved oxygen and water vapor barrier of coated polypropylene (PP) films. The color change in Corn zein nanocomposite coating on PP films was investigated and found that CZ coating layers have slight effect on total color change. The most significant effect of total color change was reported by the yellowness index b.
