Ploy (lactic acid)/organo-modified montmorillonite nanocomposites for improved eletret properties

Abstract In order to improve the electret performance of poly(lactic-acid) (PLA), organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) was melt-blended PLA to prepare PLA-based nanocomposites followed by film-blowing process. It was found that the charge storage ability of PLA was remarkably increased because of nucleating role of OMMT on PLA matrix and the formation of micro-pores and nano-pores. At the loading level of 3wt% OMMT, PLA nanocomposites exhibited superior initial surface potential up to 1410 V and final voltage to 446 V under charging voltage of 8 kV with respect to neat PLA. This study demonstrated that OMMT-modified PLA was a kind of promising biodegradable electrets.