Preparation and Characterization of Microcapsules from PBSL/VMF2 Nanocomposite

Abstract

In this work, nanocomposite films and microcapsules were prepared from a dispersion of poly(butylene succinate-co-lactate) (PBSL) and Brazilian clay (VMF2). A nanocomposite precursor solution was prepared by adding, under mechanic stirring, a solution of PBSL-5% to a dispersion of VMF2–0. 8% in chloroform. Nanocomposite films were prepared by casting 10 mL of the nanocomposite precursor onto glass Petri dishes, then left overnight for solvent evaporation before drying in a vacuum oven. Microcapsules were obtained from the nanocomposite precursor by solvent diffusion method. PBSL and PBSL/VMF2 films and microcapsules thus prepared were characterized by optical microscopy, XRD, and SEM. XRD of VMF2 showed that this clay contains montmorillonite and kaolinite. XRD of the PSB/VMF2 nanocomposite showed intercalation of the montmorillonite, indicating that both clay minerals are finely dispersed within the polymer matrix. SEM of the microcapsules showed homogeneous spheres with particle sizes in the range 50–150 μm.