Effects of hygrothermal aging on chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/Cloisite 30B bionanocomposite

Abstract : Hygrothermal aging of neat poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and PHBV filled with an organomodified montmorillonite (C30B) at 3wt. was investigated at 65°C and 100% relative humidity (RH) up to 100 days. FT‐IR data indicated that the carbonyl intensity index decreased with exposure time for both samples, while the main degradation mechanism occurred through hydrolysis reaction. This led to chain scissions resulting in a decrease in molar mass. Water absorption increased with exposure time for both neat PHBV and PHBV/C30B (3wt%) bionanocomposite. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements showed a decrease in both crystallinity index and melting temperature after hygrothermal aging and thermogravimetric analysis data indicated also a decrease in thermal stability. Mechanical and viscoelastic properties were also altered, being, however, more pronounced for the neat PHBV. Overall, the PHBV bionanocomposite exhibited a better resistance toward hygrothermal aging at 65°C and 100% RH.