Thermal and Structural Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Silica/Alumina Composite Materials

Abstract:

In the present study, Polylactic acid/ silicon dioxide (SiO₂)/ alumina (Al₂O₃) composite films were produced by a casting method. Thermal, morphological, optical and structural properties of obtaining samples investigated. The addition of aluminum monoxide and silicon dioxide fillers in PLA matrix increases the glass transition temperature significantly, and the Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ particles behave as good nucleating agents with PLA matrix. A homogeneous distribution of SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ particles was observed in the composite films. XRD results revealed that the addition of SiO₂ particles improved the crystallinity of PLA, knowing that the degree of crystallinity increase from 2.75% to 31.63% by adding the nucleating agents. The DSC results showed that the glass transition temperature increases by 12 °C in the composites than the pure PLA.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1078)
• Pages: 161-169
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-60a70m
• Online since: December 2022
• Authors: Amirouche Bouamer*, Nasser Benrekaa, Abderrahmane Younes
• Keywords: Ceramics Particles, Crystallinity, Glass Transition Temperature, Polylactic Acid, Thermal Properties

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