pps proceeding - Abstract Preview
pps proceeding
Symposium: S08 - Polymer composites
Oral Presentation
 
 

Study of Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(ethylene oxide) Blend-based Biodegradable Nanocomposites

Behera Kartik (1)*, Chiu Fang-Chyou (2)

(1) Chang Gung University - Taoyuan - Taiwan, (2) Chang Gung University, 2Department of General Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospita - Taoyuan - Taiwan

In this study, miscible poly(lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA/PEO) blend-based biodegradable nanocomposites were prepared by conventional melt mixing process. Scanning electron microscope results showed that CNT was homogeneously distributed within the PLA/PEO blend matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the presence of CNT improved the thermal stability of the blend under both air and nitrogen environments. Interestingly, TGA kinetics analysis showed that the activation energy for thermal degradation of PLA increased from 124 kJ/mol in the neat state to 208 kJ/mol in A7O3-3.Differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed the nucleation effect of CNT on the crystallization of both PLA and PEO components. The nucleation efficiency of CNT showed 7.5 °C increment in crystallization peak temperature of PLA in the 3-phr CNT loaded composite. The isothermal/non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and melting behaviour of PLA in different samples were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry under different crystallization conditions as well. The HDT values of the selected composites improved with increasing CNT content. The rheological properties measurement confirmed the achievement of pseud-network structure in the composites after CNT loading. The electrical percolation and rheological percolation threshold was determined at 0.6-1phr and 1-phr CNT content, respectively. Finally, the hydrolytic degradation results showed that the CNT addition increased the hydrolytic degradation rate of the prepared composites.