Influence of the aggregated structures of layered double hydroxide nanoparticles on the degradation behavior of poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) composites

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) modified with sodium dodecyl sulfate (LDH-SDS) and stearic acid (LDH-SA) were added into the poly(butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) matrix for the preparation of PBAT/LDH nanocomposite films. In the matrix, pristine LDH, LDH-SDS, and LDH-SA were present in the form of aggregated nanoparticles, intercalated, and exfoliated layers, respectively. In comparison with pristine LDH, the intercalated and exfoliated LDH exhibited better dispersibility in PBAT and greater capacity to promote the mechanical properties and crystallization performance of PBAT. More importantly, in the hydrolysis degradation experiment, the degradation behaviors were significantly affected by hydrophilic nature of modified LDH and its organic–inorganic interfaces caused by various aggregated state structures. Thus, an important method of tuned the degradation behaviors of PBAT films by adjusting the aggregated structures of LDH was established.