The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of application of microwave energy for the fabrication of polymer/clay nanocomposite. APES/Clay nanocomposites were prepared at 130℃ for 30min with various content of clay by melt-intercalation method under classical and microwave heating source. APES/Clay samples were characterized by the means of X-ray diffractometry(XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA), and rheometric dynamic analysis(RDA). It was found that intercalated or exfoliated state was obtained in the samples according to the condition of organic modification, clay content, and heating source.

The biodegradable characteristics of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate(PHB) film by fungi and soil burial are investigated. As the results of the American Standards for Testing and Materials(ASTM) method, the growth of Aspergillus niger was apparent on the PHB containing plate. This suggests that PHB was utilized as the sole carbon source by Aspergillus niger and ASTM method may have applications as measuring means of biodegradability of polyhydroxyalkanoic acid(PHA). PHB film was studied by monitoring the time-dependant changes in weight loss of PHB film under 30℃ and relative humidity 80 % during pot-test. As the results of pot-test, PHB film was decomposed about 87 % in 30 days by soil microorganisms. PHB film was more slowly degraded than PHB/HV film.