Comparison of the Properties of Poly(lactic acid) Nanocomposites with Various Fillers: Organoclay, Functionalized Graphene, or Organoclay/Functionalized Graphene Complex

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid)(PLA) nanocomposites containing various nanofillers were synthesized using the solution intercalation method. Organically modified bentonite clay (NSF), octadecylamine-graphene oxide (ODA-GO), and an NSE/ODA-GO complex were utilized as nanofillers in the fabrication of PLA hybrid films PLA hybrid films with varying nanofiller contents in the range of 0-10 wt% were examined and compared in terms of their thermomechanical properties, morphologies, and oxygen permeabilities. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed that most of the NSF and ODA-GO nanofillers were dispersed homogeneously throughout the PLA matrix on the nanoscale, although some agglomerate NSE/ODA-GO complex particles were also formed. Among the three nanofillers for PLA hybrid films, the NSE/ODA-GO complex showed the best improvement in film thermal stability. In contrast, NSF and ODA-GO exhibited the best improvement in tensile mechanical properties and oxygen barrier properties of the PLA hybrid films, respectively.