The compatible and mechanical properties of biodegradable poly(Lactic Acid)/ethylene glycidyl methacrylate copolymer blends

Bamboo Fiber Based Cellulose Nanocrystals/Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Nanocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical and Thermal Properties

The purpose of this work was to investigate the effect of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from bamboo fiber on the properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) composites fabricated by melt mixing at 175 °C and then hot pressing at 180 °C. PBS and CNC (0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5 wt.%) were added to improvise the properties of PLA. The morphological, physiochemical and crystallinity properties of nanocomposites were analysed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD), respectively. The thermal and tensile properties were analysed by thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Universal testing machine (UTM). PLA-PBS blend shows homogeneous morphology while the composite shows rod-like CNC particles, which are embedded in the polymer matrix. The uniform distribution of CNC particles in the nanocomposites improves their thermal stability, tensile strength and tensile modulus up to 1 wt.%; however, their elongation at break decreases. Thus, CNC addition in PLA-PBS matrix improves structural and thermal properties of the composite. The composite, thus developed, using CNC (a natural fiber) and PLA-PBS (biodegradable polymers) could be of immense importance as they could allow complete degradation in soil, making it a potential alternative material to existing packaging materials in the market that could be environment friendly.

Morphology, Structural, Thermal, and Tensile Properties of Bamboo Microcrystalline Cellulose/Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Composites

The present study aims to develop a biodegradable polymer blend that is environmentally friendly and has comparable tensile and thermal properties with synthetic plastics. In this work, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) extracted from bamboo-chips-reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) blend composites were fabricated by melt-mixing at 180 °C and then hot pressing at 180 °C. PBS and MCC (0.5, 1, 1.5 wt%) were added to improve the brittle nature of PLA. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), and universal testing machine were used to analyze morphology, crystallinity, physiochemical, thermal, and tensile properties, respectively. The thermal stability of the PLA-PBS blends enhanced on addition of MCC up to 1wt % due to their uniform dispersion in the polymer matrix. Tensile properties declined on addition of PBS and increased with MCC above (0.5 wt%) however except elongation at break increased on addition of PBS then decreased insignificantly on addition of MCC. Thus, PBS and MCC addition in PLA matrix decreases the brittleness, making it a potential contender that could be considered to replace plastics that are used for food packaging.

Plasticizing effects of citrate esters on properties of poly(lactic acid)

Triethyl citrate (TEC) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) were used as plasticizer for poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The treated and plasticized PLA at various concentrations were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and opacity. DSC was used to evaluate the crystallinity and thermal property of all the samples. It was found that the glass transition temperature (Tg) and the melting temperature (Tm) decreased as the amount of citrate esters increased. Additionally, the presence of TEC or ATBC tended to increase the crystallinity of PLA. This result was supported by XRD. DMA of plasticized PLA indicates that a decrease in Tg is obtained with increasing plasticizer content. FTIR spectra indicate that there are some molecular interactions by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between PLA and citrate esters. The effect of the concentration of plasticizer on the opacity of the films was negligible.

Toughening of Polylactide by Bio-Based and Petroleum-Based Thermoplastic Elastomers

The purpose of this study was to improve toughness of inherently very brittle polylactide (PLA) without sacrificing strength and thermal properties, so that biopolymer PLA could be used in engineering applications. For this purpose, PLA was blended with various amounts of two different thermoplastic elastomers; TPU (petroleum-based thermoplastic polyurethane) and TPE (bio-based thermoplastic polyester). Melt blending and specimen shaping were achieved by using a twin-screw extruder and injection molder, respectively. SEM analysis indicated that TPU and TPE were immiscible forming fine and uniform round domains in the PLA matrix. It was revealed that rubber-toughening mechanisms of TPU and TPE were very effective. For instance, using only 10 phr of TPU or TPE increased Charpy impact toughness of PLA more than 300 %, while increases in fracture toughness (KIC and GIC) values of PLA were as much as 35 % and 130 %, respectively. Other mechanical tests (tension, flexure, hardness) and thermal analyses (DSC) revealed that there were no significant detrimental effects of using 10 phr TPU or TPE on the engineering performance of PLA.