Novel pla based composites with organomodified natural zeolite

The surface of natural zeolite, clinoptilolite, was organomodified through ion-exchange reaction by using an organic molecule with long alkyl chain, hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, HDTMA. Organomodification of zeolite was performed in order to increase its compatibility with polymer matrix and, hence its efficacy as reinforcing agent in polymer composites. Composites with poly(lactic acid), PLA, as polymer matrix and organomodified as well as unmodified zeolite in the amount of 1, 3 and 5 wt.% were prepared. The influence of the presence and organomodification of zeolite on the properties of obtained composites was studied by using SEM, DSC, TG, dynamic mechanical analysis and accelerated hydrolytic degradation testing. Overall properties improvement, especially mechanical performance, as revealed by dynamic mechanical analysis, was achieved by organomodification of zeolite. Furthermore, the biodegradation rate of PLA was increased in the presence of zeolite, particularly in the case of the organomodified one.