Studies on Melt Processable Biocomposites of Polylactic Acid

• Published in: Journal of polymers and the environment Vol. 23; no. 3; pp. 321 - 333
• Main Authors: Joseph, Seena, Deenadayalan, E, Mahanwar, P. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.09.2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: biocomposites; Biopolymers; Calcium carbonate; calorimeters; Cellulose; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Crystallization; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; extrusion; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; lactic acid; Materials Science; Melting; Melts; Original Paper; Percolation; Polylactic acid; Polymer Sciences; Rheological properties; Scanning; Studies; talc; Talcs; thermal properties; Composites; Biopolymers; Structure–property relationship; Rheological properties
• ISSN: 1566-2543; 1572-8919; 1572-8900
• DOI: 10.1007/s10924-014-0668-5

Melt processable microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were successfully prepared by twin-screw extrusion. Several characterization techniques were used to investigate the effect of MCC on rheological behavior, morphology, crystallization and melting behavior of the PLA and structure–property correlation of the MCC/PLA composites has been established. Rheological measurements showed that the addition of MCC has a dramatic influence on the low frequency relaxations of PLA chains and above 5 % of MCC, it forms percolated network structure. Differential scanning calorimeter analysis showed that MCC acted as nucleating agent enhancing crystallization below the percolation concentration. Properties of MCC/PLA composites have been compared with that of talc and CaCO₃ filled composites. Talc is found to be more effective in crystallizing PLA than MCC and CaCO₃. MCC/PLA composites are found be melt processable like that of talc and CaCO₃ filled PLA composites.