Thermal behaviors and mechanical properties of halloysite nanotube-reinforced poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2014-12, Vol.118 (3), p.1639-1647
• Main Authors: Tham, Wei Ling, Poh, Beng Teik, Mohd Ishak, Zainal Arifin, Chow, Wen Shyang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Atmospheres; Calorimetry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cytokinins; Electron microscopy; Field emission; Inorganic Chemistry; Lactic acid; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Mechanical properties; Nanocomposites; Nanostructure; Nanotubes; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Scanning electron microscopy; Thermal properties
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926; 1572-8943
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-014-4062-2

Poly(lactic acid)/halloysite nanotubes (PLA/HNTs) nanocomposites were prepared using melt compounding followed by compression molding. N , N ′-ethylenebis(stearamide) (EBS) was used to improve the dispersion of HNTs and toughen the PLA nanocomposites. The thermal properties of PLA/HNTs nanocomposites were assessed by using differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analyzer (TG). The TG measurements were performed at both nitrogen and oxygen atmosphere. The mechanical properties of PLA/HNTs were characterized through tensile and impact tests. The morphological properties of the PLA/HNTs nanocomposites were investigated by using transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The degree of crystallinity of PLA nanocomposites was increased slightly by the addition of EBS. The decomposition process of PLA/HNTs depends on the atmosphere reaction during TG test as well as the amount of EBS. The best mechanical properties of PLA/HNTs nanocomposites expressed by the impact strength and elongation at break were achieved by the addition of 5 mass% of EBS.