Method for Simultaneously Improving the Thermal Stability and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic acid): Effect of High-Energy Electrons on the Morphological, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of PLA/MMT Nanocomposites

Abstract

Nanocomposites derived from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and organically modified montmorillonite (oMMT) have been cross-linked by high-energy electrons in the presence of triallyl cyanurate (TAC). The morphology of untreated and cross-linked PLA/MMT nanocomposites was characterized by wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This treatment can improve both the thermal stability and the glass-transition temperatures of the PLA nanocomposites (e.g., PLA-MMT-TAC 30kGy, 50kGy, and 70kGy) because of the formation of cross-linking structures in the nanocomposites that will considerably reduce the mobility of polymers. Interestingly, at relatively low irradiation doses (e.g., 30 and 50 kGy) a good balance between tensile strength and elongation at break for the PLA nanocomposites could be achieved. These mechanical properties are superior to those of pure PLA. Therefore, combining nanotechnology and electron beam cross-linking is a promising new method of simultaneously improving the mechanical properties (toughness and tensile strength) and thermal stability of PLA.

Fabrication and characterization of sucrose palmitate reinforced poly(lactic acid) bionanocomposite films

“…Till date, many strategies have been reported to tune PLA properties as a function of chemical structure, structural morphology and its compatibility with other fillers . These include: (i) polymer blending with organic and inorganic fillers and (ii) addition of plasticizer . Over the past few years, the incorporation of nano‐sized bio‐fillers in PLA matrix to produce bionanocomposite materials has been explored as an innovative and effective alternative over the traditional technologies for enhancing the mechanical performance, thermal stability and barrier properties of PLA .…”

“…These include: (i) polymer blending with organic and inorganic fillers and (ii) addition of plasticizer . Over the past few years, the incorporation of nano‐sized bio‐fillers in PLA matrix to produce bionanocomposite materials has been explored as an innovative and effective alternative over the traditional technologies for enhancing the mechanical performance, thermal stability and barrier properties of PLA . At the nanoscale, such particles have significantly large surface area and exhibit the possibility to interfere with polymer chain mobility, thereby manipulating the matrix properties .…”

Synergistic effects of polyethylene glycol and organic montmorillonite on the plasticization and enhancement of poly(lactic acid)

“…Generally, introducing inorganic materials into polymer materials may enhance the thermal stability of composites, nanoclay enhanced crystallinity properties, which can uniformly transfer heat and remarkably enhance the thermal capability . The OMMT layers had good thermal insulation properties and could disperse well in PLA matrix, which contributed to the higher thermal stability of composites.…”

The flame‐retardance polylactide nanocomposites with nano attapulgite coated by resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate)

“…In this market, polylactide (PLA) is undoubtedly one of the most promising and important candidates for further development because not only is it biodegradable but also it can be produced by fermentation from renewable resources, such as cornstarch, at a relatively low cost and batch production [3−5]. However, the flammability of PLA and its composites becomes a big obstacle for its further widespread applications, such as in automobile and electronics .…”