Physical, Mechanical, and Thermal Analysis of Polylactic Acid/Fumed Silica/Clay (1.28E) Nanocomposites

• Main Authors: Lai, Josephine Chang Hui, Md. Rezaur, Rahman, Sinin, Hamdan
• Format: E-Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Publishing Corporation 2015
• Subjects: QR Microbiology; TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/12089/1/No%2029%20%28abstrak%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/12089/; http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84956958284&partnerID=40&md5=9d9b0b0e75cf17c7c1635d2d51de83f6; http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/698738

Polylactic acid/fumed silica/clay (PLA/FS/clay) (1.28E) nanocomposites have been successfully prepared by solution-intercalation film-casting technique. The resultant nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), tensile test, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and moisture absorption test. The FT-IR spectrum indicated that PLA/FS/clay with 2 wt% hadmuch broader peak compared to 5 wt%, 10 wt%, and 15wt% nanocomposites. Incorporation of clay (1.28E) with 2wt% showed the best compatibility with PLA/FS matrix. PLA/FS/clay (1.28E) nanocomposite with 2wt% of clay loading had higher tensile strength and modulus compared to other nanocomposites. The thermal stability and activation energy of 2wt% of PLA/FS/clay (1.28E) nanocomposite are the highest among all the nanocomposites. The moisture absorbed into PLA/FS/clay (1.28E) nanocomposite was significantly reduced with clay loading of 2 wt%.