Sodium alginate/Na+‐rectorite composite films: Preparation,characterization, and properties

Rectorite (REC), one kind of layered silicates, has been applied to polymers to improve their properties. The sodium alginate (SA) layered silicate is a new option to modify the properties of polysaccharides. In this article, SA was modified by Na⁺‐rectorite (Na⁺REC). The chemical structures and microstructures of Na⁺REC and Na⁺REC modified SA (SA/Na⁺REC) were analyzed by using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X‐ray diffraction. The morphologies of SA/Na⁺REC composites were observed by using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical and anti‐ultraviolet properties as well as thermal properties of SA/Na⁺REC composites were investigated. The results show that the properties of pure SA film can be improved by the addition of Na⁺REC, and SA/Na⁺REC composite containing 2 wt % Na⁺REC has the best intercalation effect and optimum comprehensive properties among the prepared composites in this article. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009