Enhanced Mechanical and Barrier Performance of Poly (Lactic Acid) Based Nanocomposites Using Surface Acetylated Starch Nanocrystals

Journal Article · Sun Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 2019 · Journal of Polymers and the Environment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S10924-019-01484-1· OSTI ID:22977067

Takkalkar, Pooja; Griffin, Gregory; Kao, Nhol ^[1]

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1. RMIT University, Chemical and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering (Australia)

Poly (lactic) acid (PLA) based nanocomposites reinforced with starch nanocrystals (SNC) extracted from high amylopectin waxy maize starch and acetylated starch nanocrystals (Ac-SNC), were prepared and their influence on the overall properties of PLA nanocomposites were studied. The two nanofillers (SNC and Ac-SNC) were incorporated in PLA at two different loadings (1 and 3 wt%) by solvent casting and evaporation technique. Surface acetylation of SNC was confirmed by Fourier Transform infra-red spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the crystalline structure by X-ray diffraction. This paper reports the influence of incorporating unacetylated and surface acetylated starch nanocrystals on morphological, barrier, mechanical, and rheological properties of PLA based nanocomposites. While both nanofillers improved the properties of PLA, the PLA-Ac-SNC had superior properties to that of PLA-SNC nanocomposites, due to better filler dispersion and interaction with the polymer matrix. These sustainable nanocomposites with improved properties will expand the application of these bio-sourced starch nanocrystals. Graphical Abstract: .

• OSTI ID: 22977067
• Journal Information: Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Journal Name: Journal of Polymers and the Environment Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 27; ISSN 1566-2543
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACETYLATION
FOURIER TRANSFORMATION
LACTIC ACID
MAIZE
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOCRYSTALS
NUCLEAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE
POLYMERS
SPECTROSCOPY
STARCH
X-RAY DIFFRACTION