Development and thermal behaviour of ternary PLA matrix composites

• Published in: Polymer degradation and stability Vol. 95; no. 11; pp. 2200 - 2206
• Main Authors: Fortunati, E., Armentano, I., Iannoni, A., Kenny, J.M.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2010; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Barrier properties; Biodegradability; Cellulose; Composites; Crystallinity; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Mechanical properties; Microcrystalline cellulose; Modulus of elasticity; Nanoparticles; Optical properties; Poly( l-lactide acid); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Silver; Silver nanoparticles; Technology of polymers; Thermal properties; Thermal properties; Barrier properties; Mechanical properties; Microcrystalline cellulose; Poly( l-lactide acid); Silver nanoparticles; Biological properties; Microcrystalline material; Transparency; Transport properties; Optically active polymer; Cellulose; Dispersion reinforced material; Poly(L-lactide acid); Lactone polymer; Antimicrobial agent; Composite material; Thermal stability; Aliphatic polymer; Optical properties; Nanocomposite; Tensile property; Crystallinity; Experimental study; Metal particle; Bactericidal effect; Silver; Gas permeability; Lactic acid polymer; Concentration effect
• ISSN: 0141-3910; 1873-2321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2010.02.034

Biodegradable PLA composites were prepared using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The main objective of the present study is to develop new biopolymer composites with good mechanical properties, thermal stability, maintaining the optical transparency and also providing antimicrobial properties through silver nanoparticle introduction. Composites were prepared with 1%wt of Ag nanoparticles and 5%wt of MCC using a twin-screw microextruder; film parameters were optimized in order to obtain a thickness range between 20 and 60 μm. PLA composites maintained optical transparency properties of the matrix, while MCC was able to reduce polymer permeability. Thermal analysis revealed that MCC increased PLA crystallinity and the mechanical properties of the composites demonstrated that tensile modulus was improved by microcrystalline cellulose.