Effect of mixing poly(lactic acid) with glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly(ethylene octene) on optical and mechanical properties of the blown films

Chitin-nanofibrils are obtained in water suspension at low concentration, as nanoparticles normally are, to avoid their aggregation. The addition of the fibrils in molten PLA during extrusion is thus difficult and disadvantageous. In the present paper, the use of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is proposed to prepare a solid pre-composite by water evaporation. The pre-composite is then added to PLA in the extruder to obtain transparent nanocomposites. The amount of PEG and chitin nanofibrils was varied in the nanocomposites to compare the reinforcement due to nanofibrils and plasticization due to the presence of PEG, as well as for extrapolating, where possible, the properties of reinforcement due to chitin nanofibrils exclusively. Thermal and morphological properties of nanocomposites were also investigated. This study concluded that chitin nanofibrils, added as reinforcing filler up to 12% by weight, do not alter the properties of the PLA based material; hence, this additive can be used in bioplastic items mainly exploiting its intrinsic anti-microbial and skin regenerating properties.

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Multiple actions of poly(ethylene octene) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate on the performance of poly(lactic acid)

RSC Advances ◽

10.1039/c8ra07510g ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (60) ◽

pp. 34418-34427 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Xianzeng Wang ◽

Jianguo Mi ◽

Jie Wang ◽

Hongfu Zhou ◽

Xiangdong Wang

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Thermal Properties ◽

Glycidyl Methacrylate ◽

Chain Extension ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Poly Ethylene ◽

A Chain ◽

Extension Effect

Poly(ethylene octene) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (POE-g-GMA) was employed to improve the rheological and thermal properties, toughness, and foaming behaviors of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) through a chain extension effect.

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Effect of Glycidyl Methacrylate (GMA) Content on Grafting Yield and Mechanical Properties of GMA Grafted Poly(Lactic Acid) Prepared by Melt Mixing Method

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.709.27 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 709 ◽

pp. 27-31

Author(s):

Thanh Chi Nguyen ◽

Ruksakulpiwat Chaiwat ◽

Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Lactic Acid ◽

Glycidyl Methacrylate ◽

Fracture Behaviour ◽

Industrial Applications ◽

Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Melt Mixing ◽

Molecular Weights ◽

Grafting Reaction

Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was grafted onto poly (lactic acid) (PLA) by internal mixer using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as an initiator. The results from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and gel permeation chromatograph (GPC) indicated that the grafting reaction of GMA onto PLA took place successfully. In order to obtain the optimal GMA content used to graft onto PLA chain, the GMA content was varied into 5, 10 and 15 wt% of PLA. GMA content of 10 wt% was found to give the highest elongation at break of glycidyl methacrylate grafted poly (lactic acid) (PLA-g-GMA). The weight-average molecular weights, the number-average molecular weights and polydispersity index of PLA increased after grafting with GMA. After grafting, the brittle fracture behaviour of PLA was changed to ductile fracture behaviour of PLA-g-GMA. With its superior mechanical properties compared to those of pure PLA, PLA-g-GMA can be considered to be used as a new generation of biodegradable polymer, which can be applied in many industrial applications.

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