Abstract
In this study, polylactic acid (PLA) composites with a content of 1 wt% titanium dioxide (TiO2) were prepared by melt extrusion and then annealed in order to further enhance their crystalline properties and barrier properties. It is found that α-crystals with tight packing and a more perfect structure were formed under annealing treatment at a higher temperature. The crystallinity of PLA/1T composites annealed at 115 °C for 60 min reached 34.08%. The mobility of molecular chains in the amorphous region was limited by the increase of the crystalline region and thus reduces the solubility and diffusion coefficient of water. The water vapor barrier properties of the PLA/1T composite annealed at 115°C for 60 min were improved by 22.34% compared with the unannealed one. The structure of the annealed PLA/1T composites is more compact, and the surface roughness decreases, which increases the surface hydrophobicity and water resistance of the composites. The increase in crystallinity leads to an increase in the stiffness of the PLA/1T composite. The tensile properties of the PLA/1T composite were further improved by the annealing treatment. The annealing treatment provides a technical method to balance the water vapor barrier properties and degradation properties of PLA.
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