Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was reactively blended with thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) and functionalized with commercial graphene (GRH) nanoplatelets in a twin-screw extruder, and films were produced by cast-film extrusion. Reactive compatibilization between PLA and TPCS phases was reached by introducing maleic anhydride and a peroxide radical during the reactive blending extrusion process. Films with improved elongation at break and toughness for neat PLA and PLA-g-TPCS reactive blends were obtained by an addition of GRH nanoplatelets. Toughness of the PLA-g-TPCS-GRH was improved by ~900% and ~500% when compared to neat PLA and PLA-g-TPCS, respectively. Crack bridging was established as the primary mechanism responsible for the improvement in the mechanical properties of PLA and PLA-g-TPCS in the presence of the nanofiller due to the high aspect ratio of GRH. Scanning electron microscopy images showed a non-uniform distribution of GRH nanoplatelets in the matrix. Transmittance of the reactive blend films decreased due to the TPCS phase. Values obtained for the reactive blends showed ~20% transmittance. PLA-GRH and PLA-g-TPCS-GRH showed a reduction of the oxygen permeability coefficient with respect to PLA of around 35% and 50%, respectively. Thermal properties, molecular structure, surface roughness, XRD pattern, electrical resistivity, and color of the films were also evaluated. Biobased and compostable reactive blend films of PLA-g-TPCS compounded with GRH nanoplatelets could be suitable for food packaging and agricultural applications.
Highlights
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid, is a biobased polymer that can be obtained from renewable sources, and in recent years has been used increasingly in food packaging and medical devices and in the agriculture, textile, and automotive industries [1].PLA is recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable under industrial composting conditions, and it is considered to be an alternative to replace traditional fossil non-biodegradable polymers [2]
Reactive blends of PLA and thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) compatibilized with maleic anhydride (MA) using L101 as peroxide initiator were produced and characterized
GRH nanoplatelets were introduced with the objective of increasing the toughening of the reactive blends
Summary
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid, is a biobased polymer that can be obtained from renewable sources, and in recent years has been used increasingly in food packaging and medical devices and in the agriculture, textile, and automotive industries [1].PLA is recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable under industrial composting conditions, and it is considered to be an alternative to replace traditional fossil non-biodegradable polymers [2]. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an aliphatic polyester derived from lactic acid, is a biobased polymer that can be obtained from renewable sources, and in recent years has been used increasingly in food packaging and medical devices and in the agriculture, textile, and automotive industries [1]. Some drawbacks regarding PLA’s mechanical and barrier properties hinder its more widespread application in areas such as food packaging [1,3,4]. Polymers 2018, 10, 95 blended with polyethylene glycol, ethylene vinyl alcohol, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), and other polymeric systems to improve crystallinity, biodegradability, and thermal and mechanical properties [10,11,12]. One of the main biopolymers used for reactive blending functionalization of PLA is a starch-based thermoplastic, in order to maintain PLA’s inherent compostability [13,14]
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