The Effect of Bentonite Using Edible Oil as a Dispersed Medium on the Rheological, Thermal and Water Absorption Properties of PBS/Bentonite Composites

Abstract

Polybutylene succinate (PBS) with bentonite was investigated for its rheological, thermal and water absorption properties. The bentonite (BTN) was modified with soybean oil (SBO) and lard oil (LO) (2:98 clay: oil % by weight) by mechanical stirring and ultrasonication. The composites were prepared using an internal mixer and processed by compression molding. Under the bentonite modification conditions, XRD showed that the bentonite layers were penetrated with edible oils into the small layers and the enhancement of d-spacing between the BTN-layers in the composites. A small platelet-like structure of the modified bentonite composites was observed by SEM micrographs. The increase in MFI of untreated bentonite displayed the viscosity of PBS involving the moisture and water molecules decreased the frictional force. In addition, the viscosity of composites between PBS and treated bentonite with LO represented in an increase of the MFI value. Regarding the thermal properties, the presence of bentonite could act as a nucleating agent for PBS at low content (1-2%). Moreover, the treated with edible oils of bentonite could increase the percentage crystallinity of PBS at higher bentonite content. The presence of bentonite tends to increase the water absorption behavior of PBS/bentonite composites.