Abstract
Graphene nanoplatelet (xGnP) was investigated as a novel reinforcement filler in mechanical properties for poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/epoxidized palm oil (EPO) blend. PLA/EPO/xGnP green nanocomposites were successfully prepared by melt blending method. PLA/EPO reinforced with xGnP resulted in an increase of up to 26.5% and 60.6% in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposites respectively, compared to PLA/EPO blend. XRD pattern showed the presence of peak around 26.5° in PLA/EPO nanocomposites which corresponds to characteristic peak of graphene nanoplatelets. However, incorporation of xGnP has no effect on the flexural strength and modulus. Impact strength of PLA/5 wt% EPO improved by 73.6% with the presence of 0.5 wt% xGnP loading. Mechanical properties of PLA were greatly improved by the addition of a small amount of graphene nanoplatelets (<1 wt%).
Highlights
IntroductionRenewable bio-based polymeric materials have been widely developed and have gained much attention in the scientific community due to concern regarding the global environment and for use as an alternative to the petroleum-based polymeric materials which are commercially used [1]
Renewable bio-based polymeric materials have been widely developed and have gained much attention in the scientific community due to concern regarding the global environment and for use as an alternative to the petroleum-based polymeric materials which are commercially used [1].Bio-based polymeric materials can be used as a substitute to overcome the problems of non-biodegradable and synthetic resin materials, which are difficult to deal with and give rise to relatively large quantities of daily generated waste.Biodegradable polymer products based on renewable agricultural feedstock can form the basis for a portfolio of eco-efficient products, which can compete with currently dominating products based on petroleum feedstock
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/Epoxidized palm oils (EPO)/xGnP green nanocomposites were successfully prepared by the melt blending method
Summary
Renewable bio-based polymeric materials have been widely developed and have gained much attention in the scientific community due to concern regarding the global environment and for use as an alternative to the petroleum-based polymeric materials which are commercially used [1]. Epoxidized palm oils (EPO) is one of the potential candidates as a substitution for the petrochemical-based plasticizers, as the EPO are natural-based, renewable, biodegradable, low toxicity, cost effective and capable to minimize the emission of carbon dioxide gas which gives rise to global warming phenomenon [11]. Graphene, which is fabricated from natural graphite can be used as a potential alternative nano-reinforcement to both clay and carbon nanotubes. Since graphite is the stiffest material found in nature having a modulus several times higher than clay, combined with its excellent strength, electrical and thermal conductivity, it ought to have similar properties as carbon-based nanomaterials [18]. Cao and co-workers increased Young’s modulus of PLA by 18% with the addition of only 0.2 wt% of reduced graphene oxide [25].
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