The comparison between the effects of solvent casting and melt intercalation mixing processes on different characteristics of polylactide-nanographite platelets composites
This study investigates the influence of enhanced dispersion of nanographite platelets (NGP) fillers through solvent casting mixing process on rheological, electrical and thermal properties of polylactide (PLA)/NGP composites. PLA/NGP composites were fabricated at 1 to 5 wt% filler contents by means...
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Published in | Polymer engineering and science Vol. 55; no. 7; pp. 1560 - 1570 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Newtown
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
01.07.2015
Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | This study investigates the influence of enhanced dispersion of nanographite platelets (NGP) fillers through solvent casting mixing process on rheological, electrical and thermal properties of polylactide (PLA)/NGP composites. PLA/NGP composites were fabricated at 1 to 5 wt% filler contents by means of three processing techniques: (i) dry mixing and melt intercalation; (ii) solvent casting using dichloromethane organic solvent; and (iii) combination of solvent casting and melt intercalation techniques. The extent of dispersion of nanofillers within polymer matrix was evaluated through X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis of the composites. Morphological studies of the samples revealed that the maximum extent of dispersion of NGP fillers within PLA matrix was achieved when the combination of solvent casting and melt intercalation processes occurred. Rheological analyses of the samples were indicative of deterioration in the composites produced through solvent casting mixing process. Despite of initial reduction in electrical resistivity of the composites after the addition of 1 wt% of NGP fillers, further addition of nanofillers did not exhibit a considerable enhancement in their electrical conductivity of the composites. Thermogravimetric analysis of the composites was demonstrative of enhancing impact of nanofiller loading, along with detrimental effect of solvent casting on the thermal stability of the PLA matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1560–1570, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers |
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Bibliography: | ArticleID:PEN23996 istex:00E6FB5E0E1C30833E95DBFA94F3D304FC3A9799 ark:/67375/WNG-ZD7V6J17-H ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0032-3888 1548-2634 |
DOI: | 10.1002/pen.23996 |