Biodegradable composites filled with halloysite nanotubes: calorimetric investigations and structural issues

Halloysite nanotubes were dispersed in a commercially biodegradable blends by melt compounding. Bionanocomposites based on a film-grade commercial blend of poly(hydroxybutirate)-co-valerate PHBV and poly(butylene adipate-co-therephthalate) PBAT and containg up to 10% by weigth of tubular clays (HNTs) were prepared by using a twin-screw lab extruder and filmed by a film-blowing equipment. Film samples were subjected to thermal and structural investigations. Calorimetric analysis showed that signals shape is clearly affected by the heating and cooling rate, respectively. Structural investigations performed by X-Ray diffraction tests satisfactorily allowed to interpret thermal behavior highlighting the occurrence of different crystalline modifications, depending on the scanning thermal rate, the inclusion of filler and its chemical functionalization.