Influence of halloysite nanotubes on poly(lactic acid) melt-blown nonwovens compatibilized by dual-monomer melt-grafted poly(lactic acid)

To develop fully biodegradable and reinforced poly(lactic acid) (PLA) melt-blown nonwovens (MBs) for separation and filtration, PLA/aminated halloysite nanotubes (PLA/A-HNTs) MBs were prepared using PLA/A-HNTs master-batches, compatibilized by dual-monomer glycidyl methacrylate-styrene (St-co-GMA) melt-grafted PLA (PLA-g-(St-co-GMA)). The morphology, crystallization, pore size distribution, filtration performance, and mechanical properties of PLA/PLA-g-(St-co-GMA)/A-HNTs MBs were characterized. The results indicated that PLA/PLA-g-(St-co-GMA)/A-HNT MBs could be successfully manufactured, with well dispersed A-HNTs in PLA MB fibers due to improved compatibility by PLA-g-(St-co-GMA). Incorporation of A-HNTs and PLA-g-(St-co-GMA) slightly increased the average diameter and pore size of PLA MBs. A-HNTs increased the crystallinity degree of PLA MBs, while the crystal forms remained unchanged. In comparison with PLA MBs, the tensile strengths of PLA/PLA-g-(St-co-GMA)/A-HNTs MBs were enhanced but the elongation decreased. PLA/PLA-g-(St-co-GMA)/A-HNT MBs could obtain higher filtration efficiency than neat PLA MBs.