Abstract:
Gamma irradiation effect on poly(lactide-co-glycolide) PLGA and PLGA/organically modified montmorillonite clay (Cloisite ® 30B) nanocomposites has been studied. The nanocomposites were successfully prepared by ultrasonication method and their morphological, optical and structural properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X- ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible spectroscopic techniques respectively. Neat PLGA
samples as well as those containing Cloisite ® 30B were subjected to a gamma irradiation and a comparative study of changes induced in the nanocomposite structures and other properties was carried out. Results showed that neat PLGA is degraded by gamma irradiation to greater extent while PLGA/Clay nanocomposites are comparatively less affected. The morphological defects, after gamma radiation, were more pronounced in PLGA samples as compared to the PLGA/Clay nanocomposites samples .
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