Effect of re-modified nanoclays on the extent of transesterification in poly (ethylene terephthalate)/poly (ethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) blend nanocomposites

In the present work, the extent of transesterification reaction was investigated in the poly (ethylene terephthalate) /poly (ethylene 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate) (PET/PEN) (90/10 and 75/25 w/w) blends filled with three nanofillers, i.e., an organo-modified nanoclay (NC), a transition metal ion re-modified NC (TMI-NC), and a [3-(glycidyloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane re-modified NC (GPTMS-NC). FTIR test confirmed the successful re-modification of NC. The results of the wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) test revealed that the PET/PEN (75/25 w/w) blend containing 3 phr TMI-NC indicated the best intercalation. Also, the proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H NMR) demonstrated that the extent of transesterification was decreased by incorporating the nanofillers into the PET/PEN blend. The 75/25 blend containing 3 phr GPTMS-NC showed the highest decrement. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the 75/25 blend containing 3 phr TMI-NC showed the best thermal stability. [Display omitted]