Preparation and Characterization of Poly(lactic Acid)-based Composite Reinforced with Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber and Nanosilica

Abstract

The properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bio-composite films reinforced with oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber and nanosilica were studied in this work. The composite films were prepared via the solvent casting method. The composites were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-visible spectroscopy, fieldemission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), tensile testing, and Xray diffraction (XRD). Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy results revealed that the PLA-based composites and neat PLA had similar light transmittances of approximately 89%. The FTIR and FESEM results showed that OPEFB fibers and nanosilica were embedded into the PLA matrix. The tensile strength of the composites with addition of nanosilica increased with an increasing fiber load content. The XRD analysis showed that the addition of organic or inorganic silica reduced the crystallinity of the composites. The water vapor permeability test results indicated that the inorganic silica decreased the diffusion rate of water molecules through the polymer film. The OPEFB-reinforced PLA blend with additional organic silica exhibited a higher thermal stability than the composites reinforced with inorganic silica.

Synthesis, thermal, dielectric, and microwave reflection loss properties of nickel oxide filler with natural fiber‐reinforced polymer composite

“…The spectrum of FTIR for pure NiO shows the characteristic peaks at 591, 1081, 1345, 1612, 2160, and 3349 cm −1 that indicate the purity of NiO . Spectrum peaks of OPEFB matched those of previous results such that the broad and strong absorption peak in the 3500–3200 cm −1 regions corresponding to the main peak is located at the wave number 3339.13 cm −1 , were associated with the O–H stretching vibrations of cellulose, hemicellulose, absorbed water, and lignin . A C–H stretching in aromatic methoxy groups of cellulose, and hemicellulose was observed from 2980.13 to 2866.31 cm −1 , corresponding to the main peak at the wave number 2941.13 cm −1 .…”

Poly(lactic acid) composite films reinforced with microcrystalline cellulose and keratin from chicken feather fiber in 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride

“…The XRD pattern analysis of PLA composites as shown in Figures and comprised of amorphous scattering at 2θ = 15° corresponded to χ c from DSC. The results were in contrast with the semicrystalline commercial solvent casted neat PLA of Yee et al . with a sharp diffraction peak at 2θ = 16°.…”

“…The crystallinity index (CI) was calculated using eq. : where A c and A a are the crystalline and amorphous areas on the X‐ray diffractogram, respectively …”

Characterization of Antimicrobial Poly (Lactic Acid)/Nano-Composite Films with Silver and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

“…Similar results had been studied by other researchers. The WVP values of PLA blend films were increased by the addition of other agents like nanosilica [ 39 ] and nano-Ag [ 9 ]. In previous studies, the high WVP of film led to a slight decline in relative humidity within the packaging, which would be beneficial for postharvest vegetable and fruit quality.…”