Polymer melt intercalation and in situ polymerization of lactide in innovative organophilic montmorillonites

In the present contribution innovative methods to modify sodium mortmorillonite to obtain an organophilic filler are discussed and compared. The dispersion of this organoclays in the PLA matrix through a melt processing method is also discussed, by keeping into account structural, morphological and thermo -mechanical properties of the obtained composites. Moreover the ring opening polymerization onto rganoclay and dispersion of the polymerization product in a PLA matrix is investigated as an alternative route for the preparation of nanocomposites. Structural, morphological and thermo -mechanical properties of obtained composites were compared in order to assess advantages and disadvantages of the two different preparation procedures.