Biodegradability and Thermal Properties of Hybrid Montmorillonite/Microcrystalline Cellulose Filled Polylactic Acid Composites: Effect of Filler Ratio

Reza Arjmandi, Azman Hassan, M.k. Mohamad Haafiz, Zainoha Zakaria

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of partial replacement of montmorillonite (MMT) with
microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) on the biodegradability and thermal properties of hybrid MMT/MCC filled
polylactic acid (PLA) composites prepared using solution casting technique. Based on our previous study, the
optimum MMT content based on having the highest tensile strength in PLA/MMT nanocomposites is 5 phr
(parts per hundred parts of polymer). Therefore, the PLA/MMT/MCC hybrid composites were prepared at a total
filler content of 5 phr. The biodegradability and thermal properties of PLA hybrid composites were investigated
using soil burial test and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The biodegradability of PLA/MMT/MCC
hybrid composites (1 phr MMT and 4 phr MCC) at 8th week significantly increased by approximately 228%
and 367% compared to the optimum formulation of PLA/MMT nanocomposite and neat PLA, respectively. In
addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the formation of hydrogen bonding between
the fillers and PLA matrix. The thermal stability of hybrid composites improved from 358.3 to 362.2 °C by
incorporation of hybrid MMT/MCC (1 phr MMT and 4 phr MCC) into PLA matrix, as demonstrated by
maximum decomposition temperature.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)741-746
JournalPolymers and Polymer Composites
Volume24
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2016

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