The role of nanofillers on the degradation behavior of polylactic acid

Kontou, E; Georgiopoulos, P; Niaounakis, M

dc.contributor.author	Kontou, E	en
dc.contributor.author	Georgiopoulos, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Niaounakis, M	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-03-01T02:14:50Z
dc.date.available	2014-03-01T02:14:50Z
dc.date.issued	2012	en
dc.identifier.issn	02728397	en
dc.identifier.uri	https://dspace.lib.ntua.gr/xmlui/handle/123456789/30137
dc.subject.other	Aging behavior	en
dc.subject.other	Amorphous regions	en
dc.subject.other	Degradation behavior	en
dc.subject.other	Degradation effect	en
dc.subject.other	Environmental conditions	en
dc.subject.other	Experimental techniques	en
dc.subject.other	Exposure-time	en
dc.subject.other	Nano-fillers	en
dc.subject.other	Nano-sized fillers	en
dc.subject.other	Nanofiller	en
dc.subject.other	Poly lactic acid	en
dc.subject.other	Reverse effects	en
dc.subject.other	Strain at break	en
dc.subject.other	Weight fractions	en
dc.subject.other	Young's Modulus	en
dc.subject.other	Clay minerals	en
dc.subject.other	Degradation	en
dc.subject.other	Differential scanning calorimetry	en
dc.subject.other	Dynamic analysis	en
dc.subject.other	Dynamic mechanical analysis	en
dc.subject.other	Scanning electron microscopy	en
dc.subject.other	Silica	en
dc.subject.other	Stress-strain curves	en
dc.subject.other	Tensile testing	en
dc.subject.other	Yield stress	en
dc.subject.other	Nanocomposites	en
dc.title	The role of nanofillers on the degradation behavior of polylactic acid	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1002/pc.21258	en
heal.identifier.secondary	http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pc.21258	en
heal.publicationDate	2012	en
heal.abstract	This study examines the effect of type and content of various nanofillers on the aging behavior of polylactic acid (PLA)/nanocomposites compared with that of pristine PLA, under specific environmental conditions, namely 80% relative humidity, 40°C temperature, and exposure time up to 6 months. Two different types of nanosized fillers (silica and montmorillonite, MMT) at three different weight fractions as well their mixtures were used for this purpose. The role of the various nanofillers on the aging of pristine PLA and its nanocomposites was investigated in terms of several experimental techniques including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), and tensile testing. All studied samples, except those of PLA/MMT/Si nanocomposites, exhibited the same trend in properties during aging. In particular, no significant changes are noted after 1 month of aging. The materials after 3 months of aging experienced a dramatic lowering of the stress-strain curve, whereas at 6 months a reverse effect was observed. Comparing the effect of nanofiller types on the degradation, one could conclude that PLA/MMT nanocomposites exhibit a more homogeneous degradation effect, having a higher impact on yield stress in comparison with silica. In contrast, silica has a greater effect in Young's modulus and strain at break, compared with MMT. The peculiar behavior of the PLA/MMT/Si nanocomposites during aging is explained by the hindering action of the mixture of the two nanofillers on the molecular reordering of the PLA chains in the amorphous region. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers.	en
heal.journalName	Polymer Composites	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1002/pc.21258	en
dc.identifier.volume	33	en
dc.identifier.issue	2	en
dc.identifier.spage	282	en
dc.identifier.epage	294	en