Thermal and bio-disintegration properties of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber/organoclay nanocomposites

The study aimed to prepare sustainable and degradable elastic blends of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) that were reinforced with flax fiber (FF) and montmorillonite (MMT), simultaneously filling the gap in the literature regarding the PLA-containing polymer blends filled with natural additives. The performed study reveals that FF incorporation into ENR/PLA blend may cause a significant improvement in tensile strength from (10 ± 1) MPa for the reference material to (19 ± 2) MPa for the fibers-filled blend. Additionally, it was found that MMT employment in the role of the filler might contribute to ENR/PLA plasticization and considerably promote the blend elongation up to 600%. This proves the successful creation of the unique and eco-friendly PLA-containing polymer blend exhibiting high elasticity. Moreover, thanks to the performed accelerated thermo-oxidative and ultraviolet (UV) aging, it was established that MMT incorporation may delay the degradation of ENR/PLA blends under the abovementioned conditions. Additionally, mold tests revealed that plant-derived fiber addition might highly enhance the ENR/PLA blend’s biodeterioration potential enabling faster and more efficient growth of microorganisms. Therefore, materials presented in this research may become competitive and eco-friendly alternatives to commonly utilized petro-based polymeric products.

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POSS Fillers as a Factor Influencing on Viscoelastic Properties, Crystallization, and Thermo-Oxidative Degradation of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Epoxidized Natural Rubber PLA/ENR Blend

10.5772/intechopen.92595 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Magdalena Lipińska ◽

Klaudia Toczek ◽

Magdalena Stefaniak

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Natural Rubber ◽

Viscoelastic Properties ◽

Oxidative Degradation ◽

Epoxidized Natural Rubber ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Thermo Oxidative Degradation

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The effect of epoxide content on compatibility of poly(lactic acid)/epoxidized natural rubber blends

Journal of Applied Polymer Science ◽

10.1002/app.48996 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 137 (34) ◽

pp. 48996 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jenjira Klinkajorn ◽

Varaporn Tanrattanakul

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Natural Rubber ◽

Epoxidized Natural Rubber ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Rubber Blends

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The role of multiwall carbon nanotubes on physical, mechanical and rheological properties of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber/CNT hybrid systems

Polymers and Polymer Composites ◽

10.1177/0967391120931357 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 096739112093135

Author(s):

Mohammad Mahdi Salehi ◽

Fatemeh Hakkak

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Natural Rubber ◽

Rheological Properties ◽

Droplet Size ◽

Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Droplet Size Distribution ◽

Hybrid Nanocomposites ◽

Poly Lactic Acid ◽

Melt Mixing

The main objective of the present work was to study the role of carbon nanotube (CNT) on the microstructure development and physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/natural rubber (NR)/CNT hybrid nanocomposites. The PLA/NR blend samples with constant blend ratio (90/10) were prepared by melt mixing in a laboratory internal mixer at a temperature of 190°C. The behavior of the PLA/NR blend was examined depending on the CNT content (0.5–6 wt%). The droplet size and droplet size distribution of the NR phase decreases with the increase in CNTs content. This could be explained in terms of compatibilizing effect of CNT and the changing of the viscosity ratio of the blend phases. The development of the microstructure and the physical properties of the blend were also investigated according to the CNT contents by measuring the linear viscoelasticity. The elongational behavior and mechanical properties of the blends were strongly dependent on the location of the CNT. The CNT worked as an efficient compatibilizer and also it worked as a reinforcing filler making the matrix more rigid.

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