Properties and Nonisothermal Crystallization Behavior of Nucleated Polylactide Biodegradable Composite Films

Abstract:

Polylactide biodegradable composite films were prepared via melt extrusion using a twin screw extruder. The effects of type and content of nucleating agent and cooling rate on the thermal and tensile properties of these films were investigated. Two types of nucleating agent, talc and nano precipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC), were studied at various contents from 0 to 2.0 phr. Nonisothermal crystallization behavior of composites was characterized by a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The cooling rate was varied from 1 to 10°C/min. The results indicated that the presence of nucleating agent significantly influenced on thermal and tensile properties of the PLA composite films. DSC thermograms revealed that the addition of nucleating agent on the PLA films led to an increase of crystallization temperature (Tc), crystallization rate, and degree of crystallization (χc) compared to the neat PLA. These behaviors could be noticed in both the nucleated PLA films with NPCC and talc. In contrast, the Tc and crystallization half-time (t _1/2) of these films significantly decreased when the cooling rate increased from 1 to 10°C/min. However, thermal stability of the films decreased when the nucleating agent content increased, especially that of the composites with NPCC.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 488-489)
• Pages: 671-675
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.488-489.671
• Online since: March 2012
• Authors: Worasak Phetwarotai, Duangdao Aht-Ong
• Keywords: Composite, Crystallization, Extrusion, Film, Polylactide

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