| Author(s): |
Edward D. McCarthy; Mauro Zammarano; Douglas M. Fox; Ryan C. Nieuwendaal; Yeon Seok Kim; P H. Maupin; Paul C. Trulove; Jeffrey W. Gilman; |
| Title: |
Formation of Extended Ionomeric Network by Bulk Polymerization of L,D-lactide with Layered Double Hydroxide |
| Published: |
November 22, 2012 |
| Abstract: |
We report the formation of an ionomeric network in a poly(L,D-lactide) hybrid nanocomposite, (PLDLA-HYB) during in-situ melt polymerization of L,D lactide in the presence of magnesium/aluminium layered-double-hydroxide (LDH) without added catalyst. The effect of LDH mass loading and reaction time on molecular mass and yield of soluble poly(L,D lactide) (PLDLA-SOL) present in the hybrid was investigated for a better understanding of the conflicting roles of LDH in polymerization and degradation of PLDLA-SOL. High molecular mass PLDLA-SOL is obtained through initiation of polymerization by LDH. However an additional insoluble organic-inorganic fraction, INSOL, is also observed within the product when PLDLA-SOL is extracted using methylene chloride as solvent. It is proposed that INSOL is an ionomeric network comprising hydrogen-bonded, or otherwise co-ordinated, lactic acid monomer salts of magnesium, together with PLDLA in a 30 % to 70 % mass ratio. |
| Citation: |
Polymer |
| Pages: |
pp. 1 - 12 |
| Keywords: |
Nanocomposite; polylactide; layered double hydroxide; polymer; interface |
| Research Areas: |
Green Manufacturing, Polymers, Nanocomposites, Nanomaterials, Materials Science |
| DOI: |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2012.11.037 (Note: May link to a non-U.S. Government webpage) |
