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Abstract
Packaging applications cover approximately 40% of the total plastics production, whereas food packaging possesses a high proportion within this context. Due to several environmental concerns, petroleum-based polymers have been shifted to their biobased counterparts. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been proved the most dynamic biobased candidate as a substitute of the conventional polymers. Despite its numerous merits, PLA exhibits some limitations, and thus reinforcing agents are commonly investigated as fillers to ameliorate several characteristics. In the present study, two series of PLA-based nanocomposites filled with biobased kraft-lignin (KL) and tannin (T) in different contents were prepared. A melt–extrusion method was pursued for nanocomposites preparation. The thermal stability of the prepared nanocomposites was examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis, while thermal degradation kinetics was applied to deepen this process. Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry was employed to provide more details of the degradation process of PLA filled with the two polyphenolic fillers. It was found that the PLA/lignin nanocomposites show better thermostability than neat PLA, while tannin filler has a small catalytic effect that can reduce the thermal stability of PLA. The calculated Eα value of PLA-T nanocomposite was lower than that of PLA-KL resulting in a substantially higher decomposition rate constant, which accelerate the thermal degradation.
Highlights
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), the so-called “polymer of the 21st century”, is one of the most dynamic polymers conforming to a circular and green economy and applied in a wide spectrum of applications due to its exceptional peculiarities [1,2,3]
The effect of two natural polyphenolic fillers, namely kraft lignin and tannin on the thermal stability and degradation of PLA was thoroughly evaluated throughout this man
The effect of two natural polyphenolic fillers, namely kraft lignin and tannin on the thermal stability and degradation of PLA was thoroughly evaluated throughout this manuscript
Summary
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), the so-called “polymer of the 21st century”, is one of the most dynamic polymers conforming to a circular and green economy and applied in a wide spectrum of applications due to its exceptional peculiarities [1,2,3]. Nano-sized fillers are proved to be excellent agents to boost several properties of polymers, including thermal stability, degradation efficiency, optical, mechanical and permeation properties [29,30,31,32] In this context, several studies were published concerning the combination of lignin with PLA, since such composite materials exhibit promising characteristics including antioxidant, antifungal and antimicrobial properties; resistance to UV exposure; and fire-retardant capacities [33]. The main purpose of the current manuscript was to observe and report thoroughly for the first time the decomposition mechanism of PLA in the presence of KL and T, that could be potential appropriate for packaging applications To achieve this goal, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was initially employed in order to study the effect of the two different polyphenolic fillers on the thermal stability of the PLA matrix and to select the proper temperatures for the pyrolysis tests. A thorough understanding of the degradation mechanism could enhance the selection of thermal stability enhancing agents
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