Thermal and mechanical properties of PLA/PEG blend and its nanocomposites
Özet
In this study, the nanocomposites of polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol (PLA-PEG) blend and cellulose nanocrystals were prepared. Cellulose nanocrystals were produced by sulphuric acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). The composite system, wherein cellulose nanoparticles were added, were prepared by melt extrusion technique to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA. The surface of cellulose nanoparticles were modified in order to achieve homogeneous dispersion in the polymer matrix. The thermal and mechanical properties of these nanocomposites were investigated by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests. As a result, the mechanical properties are not greatly affected in the presence of cellulose nanocrystals. On the other hand, composites containing the treated nanocellulose show better tensile strength properties compared to composites with untreated cellulose nanocrystals.
