Journal article
Poly(lactic acid)-Based in Situ Microfibrillar Composites with Enhanced Crystallization Kinetics, Mechanical Properties, Rheological Behavior, and Foaming Ability
Biomacromolecules, Vol.16(12), pp.3925-3935
12/14/2015
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/115329
PMID: 26536276
Abstract
Melt blending is one of the most promising techniques for eliminating poly(lactic acid)'s (PLA) numerous drawbacks. However, success in a typical melt blending process is usually achieved through the inclusion of high concentrations of a second polymeric phase which can compromise PLA's green nature. In a pioneering study, we introduce the production of in situ microfibrillar PLA/polyamide-6 (PA6) blends as a cost-effective and efficient technique for improving PLA's properties while minimizing the required PA6 content. Predominantly biobased products, with only 3 wt % of in situ generated PA6 microfibrils (diameter ≈200 nm), were shown to have dramatically improved crystallization kinetics, mechanical properties, melt elasticity and strength, and foaming-ability compared with PLA. Crucially, the microfibrillar blends were produced using an environmentally friendly and cost-effective process. Both of these qualities are essential in guarantying the viability of the proposed technique for overcoming the obstacles associated with the vast commercialization of PLA.
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Details
- Title
- Poly(lactic acid)-Based in Situ Microfibrillar Composites with Enhanced Crystallization Kinetics, Mechanical Properties, Rheological Behavior, and Foaming Ability
- Creators
- Adel Ramezani Kakroodi - Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, CanadaYasamin Kazemi - Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, CanadaWeiDan Ding - Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, CanadaAboutaleb Ameli - Advanced Composites Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University Tri-Cities , 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, Washington 99354, United StatesChul B Park - Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada
- Publication Details
- Biomacromolecules, Vol.16(12), pp.3925-3935
- Academic Unit
- UNKNOWN
- Publisher
- United States
- Identifiers
- 99900547460401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article