A comparative study on the mechanical, thermal and morphological characterization of poly(lactic acid)/epoxidized Palm Oil blend

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 13; no. 5; pp. 5878 - 5898
• Main Authors: Giita Silverajah, V S, Ibrahim, Nor Azowa, Yunus, Wan Md Zin Wan, Hassan, Hazimah Abu, Woei, Chieng Buong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01-05-2012; Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI)
• Subjects: biodegradable plastic; Biodegradable Plastics - chemistry; bioplastic; Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; Environmental impact; Epoxy Compounds - chemistry; Glycerol; Lactic Acid - chemistry; Mechanical properties; melt blending; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Morphology; Palm Oil; Plant Oils - chemistry; plasticizer; Plasticizers - chemistry; Plastics; Polyesters; Polyethylene terephthalate; Polymerization; Polymers; Polymers - chemistry; Solvents; Temperature; Tensile Strength; Thermogravimetry; Vegetable oils; Malaysia; melt blending; bioplastic; biodegradable plastic; plasticizer
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms13055878

In this work, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) a fully biodegradable thermoplastic polymer matrix was melt blended with three different epoxidized palm oil (EPO). The aim of this research was to enhance the flexibility, mechanical and thermal properties of PLA. The blends were prepared at various EPO contents of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% and characterized. The SEM analysis evidenced successful modification on the neat PLA brittle morphology. Tensile tests indicate that the addition of 1 wt% EPO is sufficient to improve the strength and flexibility compared to neat PLA. Additionally, the flexural and impact properties were also enhanced. Further, DSC analysis showed that the addition of EPO results in a decrease in T(g), which implies an increase in the PLA chain mobility. In the presence of 1 wt% EPO, TGA results revealed significant increase in the thermal stability by 27%. Among the three EPOs used, EPO(3) showed the best mechanical and thermal properties compared to the other EPO's, with an optimum loading of 1 wt%. Conclusively, EPO showed a promising outcome to overcome the brittleness and improve the overall properties of neat PLA, thus can be considered as a potential plasticizer.