Poly(butylene succinate)/layered double hydroxide bionanocomposites: relationships between chemical structure of LDH anion, delamination strategy, and final properties

A series of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) containing organo-modified layered double hydroxide (LDH) are prepared by melt compounding and by in situ polymerization of succinic ester and 1,4-butanediol. Various LDHs intercalated with renewable organic anions are used. More specifically, lauryl sulfate, stearate, succinate, adipate, sebacate, citrate, and ricinoleate ions are used as LDHs organo-modifiers. The thermal, rheological, and dynamic mechanical properties of the samples are investigated. The results reveal a general mechanical reinforcement imparted by the clays. Significant changes are observed for the in situ polymerized nanocomposites, especially for LDH stearate which improves the properties of PBS nanostructure, whereas very few differences are observed for the other samples.