Graphene nanoplatelets as novel reinforcement filler in poly(lactic acid)/epoxidized palm oil green nanocomposites: mechanical properties

• Main Authors: Chieng, Buong Woei, Ibrahim, Nor Azowa, Wan Yunus, Wan Md. Zin, Hussein, Mohd Zobir, Silverajah, V. S. Giita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI 2012
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78012/1/78012.pdf; http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/78012/; https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/13/9/10920

Graphene nanoplatelet (xGnP) was investigated as a novel reinforcement filler in mechanical properties for poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/epoxidized palm oil (EPO) blend. PLA/EPO/xGnP green nanocomposites were successfully prepared by melt blending method. PLA/EPO reinforced with xGnP resulted in an increase of up to 26.5% and 60.6% in the tensile strength and elongation at break of the nanocomposites respectively, compared to PLA/EPO blend. XRD pattern showed the presence of peak around 26.5° in PLA/EPO nanocomposites which corresponds to characteristic peak of graphene nanoplatelets. However, incorporation of xGnP has no effect on the flexural strength and modulus. Impact strength of PLA/5 wt% EPO improved by 73.6% with the presence of 0.5 wt% xGnP loading. Mechanical properties of PLA were greatly improved by the addition of a small amount of graphene nanoplatelets ( < 1 wt%).