Polylactide/montmorillonite nanocomposites(PLA/MMTs) were prepared by the melt intercalation.The crystallization and melting behavior of both the pure PLA and PLA/MMTs were characterized by DSC and XRD measurements.The results show that PLA/MMTs and PLA can not crystallize when cooled from melt state,while can crystallize in solid state in heating process.The addition of montmorillonite will not change the crystalline structure of PLA,but can promote cold crystallization of PLA matrix due to the nucleation effect by the clay tactoids.Moreover,the double melting behavior is attributable to recrystallization of those defective crystalline grains.

Polylactide/montmorillonite nanocomposites can promote cold crystallization of PLA matrix due to the clay tactoids' nucleation effect, but their crystallization and melting behavior remain unchanged.

Cold Crystallization and Melt Behavior of Polylactide/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites

Key Takeaway: Polylactide/montmorillonite nanocomposites can promote cold crystallization of PLA matrix due to the clay tactoids' nucleation effect, but their crystallization and melting behavior remain unchanged.