Design and characterization of biodegradable polymer-clay nanocomposites prepared by solution mixing technique.

This paper discusses about preparation of biodegradable polymer /clay nanocomposites based on organically modified montmorillonite clay; i.e. cloisite 10A and biodegradable polymer chitosan by solution mixing technique and their characterization. The nanocomposites were successfully prepared and their structures were characterized by powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analyzer (Beckman coulter), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fourier transmission infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The intensity distributions and average size and polydispersity index of particles were confirmed from particle size analysis. The XRD results revealed the information on the degree of hybrid structure generated and crystal size. The surface topography of polymer nanocomposites and their shapes were determined from SEM. These SEM results confirmed the exfoliation of polymer between the clay layers. From both XRD and particle size analysis results, it is revealed that the average diameters of the prepared nanocomposites were found to be within 300-500nm. So these nanoformulations are expected to be beneficial for controlled drug delivery system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]