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Effect of nanoparticle type and content on morphology, rheology, and crystallinity of poly(lactic acid) using titanium dioxide and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Rezaei Hamid,
Seifi Sajad,
Moeinifar Elham,
Hejazi Iman,
Seyfi Javad,
Khonakdar Hossein Ali
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
polymer composites
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.577
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1548-0569
pISSN - 0272-8397
DOI - 10.1002/pc.25477
Subject(s) - crystallinity , silsesquioxane , materials science , rheology , nanoparticle , differential scanning calorimetry , chemical engineering , titanium dioxide , lactic acid , apparent viscosity , composite material , polymer , nanotechnology , genetics , biology , bacteria , engineering , physics , thermodynamics
Abstract In this study, under the same conditions, two different nanoparticles, namely, titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) were added to the poly(lactic acid) (PLA) matrix via the solution casting technique. Morphological analysis showed that POSS had a better distribution within the PLA matrix. However, rheological analysis revealed the stronger influence of TiO 2 on shear viscosity values, and a more notable viscosity upturn at moderate to high inclusions of TiO 2 within the low shear rate zone. On the other hand, POSS was found to act as a lubricant even at a content of 3 wt% which was attributed to the very small dimensions of POSS. Such lubricating role, found from rheology, caused a boost in the crystallinity of PLA based on differential scanning calorimetry results. Moreover, it was found that TiO 2 had an adverse effect on the crystallinity of PLA which was ascribed to the hindered motions of PLA chains upon addition of moderate to high inclusions of TiO 2 . The results of this study emphasize the crucial role of nanoparticle type and content on the properties of PLA.