Abstract
Properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites, with silica nanoparticles (SiO2), as filler were investigated. Neat PLA films and PLA films with different percentage of hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 and 5 wt. %) were prepared by solution casting method. Several tools were used to characterize the influence of different silica content on crystalline behavior, and thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA/SiO2 nanocomposites. Results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that the nanocomposite preparation and selection of specific hydrophobic spherical nano filler provide a good dispersion of the silica nanoparticles in the PLA matrix. Addition of silica nanoparticles improved mechanical properties, the most significant improvement being observed for lowest silica content (0.2wt.%). Barrier properties were improved for all measured gases at all loadings of silica nanoparticles. The degree of crystallinity for PLA slightly increased by adding 0.2 and 0.5 wt. % of nano filler.
Highlights
Properties of poly (PLA) and its nanocomposites, with silica nanoparticles (SiO2) as filler, were investigated
The interest in biopolymers has increasing trend due to their positive environmental impact; they are produced from renewable sources and are biodegradable, and their utilization has less negative effect compared to conventional petroleum based polymers [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]
The goal of this research was to investigate the influence of different loadings of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles on thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA polymer matrix
Summary
Properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites, with silica nanoparticles (SiO2) as filler, were investigated. Several tools were used to characterize the influence of different silica content on crystalline behavior, and thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA/ /SiO2 nanocomposites. Popularity of PLA has significantly increased due to the ease of its processing by conventional methods (such as injection molding, film extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, fiber spinning and film forming), which enable its utilization in diverse applications, including food packaging [13,14]. The goal of this research was to investigate the influence of different loadings of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles on thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA polymer matrix
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