Thermal degradation kinetics of PP/PLA nanocomposite blends

In this article, the effect of adding polylactide (PLA) and nanoclay on the thermal stability of polypropylene (PP) films was analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal degradation kinetic parameters such as activation energy (E-a), order of reaction (n), and frequency factor (ln (Z)) of the samples were studied over a temperature range of 30-550 degrees C. Analyses were performed under nitrogen atmosphere with four different heating rates (i.e. 5, 10, 15, and 20 degrees C min(-1)). The E-a was calculated by Kissinger, Kim-Park, and Flynn-Wall methods. The E-a value of PP was much higher than PLA, whereas the addition of PLA and nanoclay in PP decreased the E-a. The addition of compatibilizer increased the compatibility and E-a of blended films upto some extent. The lifetime of PP was found to be decreased with the addition of PLA and nanoclay. Studies indicated that the thermal degradation behavior and lifetime of the investigated samples depend on the fractions of constituents and heating rates.