Chain extender effect of 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid/layered double hydroxide in PBS bionanocomposites

3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid (HPPA), a biobased hydroxy acid, has been used as organic modifier in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) based on ZnAl and MgAl cations. PBS bionanocomposites have been prepared via in situ polymerization (with both types of clays) and melt blending (just with ZnAl-HPPA) obtaining completely green materials, potentially fully biodegradable. The filler loading is included within the range 1â 10 wt%. The materials have been studied in terms of morphological, thermal and viscoelastic properties, resulting to have high thermal stability and huge mechanical reinforcement thanks to an excellent filler/polymer interfacial interaction highlighted by rheology experiments. HPPA, hosted by LDH, has a great chain extender effect toward the matrix. In particular, the melt blended samples, even if WAXD analysis evidence the formation of intercalated structures, show a tunable chain extender effect proportional to the composition and no gel-like structure has been produced. Moreover, LDHs, besides being bio and food compatibles, decrease the gas and solvents permeability of matrix and are potentially antibacterial and antioxidant; therefore such hybrid system is multifunctional and could be exploited in a wide range of applications.