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Compatibilization and ultraviolet blocking of PLA/PCL blends via interfacial localization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Decol Marindia,
Pachekoski Wagner M.,
Becker Daniela
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.45813
Subject(s) - materials science , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , ultraviolet , phase (matter) , copolymer , titanium dioxide , composite material , nanotechnology , polymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , engineering
ABSTRACT In this work, the effect of TiO 2 addition over morphological and ultraviolet (UV) blocking properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ɛ‐caprolactone) (PCL) blends was investigated. The micrographs showed a partially co‐continuous structure in the PLA/PCL blend with 42/58 (wt %/wt %) and the TiO 2 nanoparticles addition leads to a structural phase inversion, i.e., continuous PCL and partially continuous PLA with a dispersed portion. TiO 2 nanoparticles were observed to be preferably localized at the interface of the two phases due to kinetic effects (large difference between the melting temperatures) and nanoparticle geometry (low aspect ratios). An adhesion improvement between the phases and morphological stability were observed with the addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles. This behavior indicates that the nanoparticles can act as compatibilizers due to their localization at the interface between the two phases. The UV light absorption and transmission percolation threshold occurred with 1.5% TiO 2 in the 42PLA/52PCL blend. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135 , 45813.