Alternative synthetic routes for the preparation of PLA/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Although the improvement of tensile Modulus and thermal stability due to the addition of innovative organoclays to PLA were negligible, our investigation allowed to evidence that the preliminary preparation of an inorganic rich composite through in situ polymerization of lactyde gave a final morphology improved with respect to that achieved by simply melt dispersing organoclay powder. Anyway the former preparation method should be further investigated in order to control PLA structural features resulting from the ring opening polymerization synthesis.