Review
Polymer Science
Olawale M. Sanusi, Abdelkibir Benelfellah, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris, Nourredine Ait Hocine
Summary: The study discusses various methods for preparing functional PLA nanocomposites, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of each method, as well as the achieved properties enhancement for targeted applications.
POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jiunn-Jer Hwang, Su-Mei Huang, Wen-Yang Lin, Hsin-Jiant Liu, Cheng-Chan Chuang, Wen-Hui Chiu
Summary: This study utilizes polycondensation to produce a biodegradable copolymer, poly (L-lactic acid)-(polyethylene glycols), and then combines it with organically modified montmorillonite (o-MMT) through an intercalation process to produce a series of PLLA-PEG/o-MMT nanocomposites. The addition of o-MMT affects the crystallization rate and properties of the PLLA-PEG copolymers.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Olawale Monsur Sanusi, Abdelkibir Benelfellah, Lazaros Papadopoulos, Zoi Terzopoulou, Lamprini Malletzidou, Isaak G. Vasileiadis, Konstantinos Chrissafis, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris, Nourredine Ait Hocine
Summary: In this study, a hybrid nanofiller of Mt and MWCNT was successfully prepared and incorporated into PLA matrix to improve the material properties. Physicochemical studies and structural analyzes revealed strong hybrid-polymer interaction and synergy between nanoclay and carbon nanotubes. Thermal characterizations and mechanical properties testing demonstrated that the Mt/MWCNT hybrid nanofillers effectively restricted the motion of PLA segments and enhanced the mechanical performance of the polymer matrix.
APPLIED CLAY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Composites
Haifeng Chen, Chunfa Dai, Yue Long, Shaohua Zeng, Ru Xia
Summary: By designing a nanostructured starch acetate-montmorillonite hybrid, remarkable enhancements in mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of poly(lactic acid)/starch acetate composite films were achieved. The synergistic effect of starch acetate and montmorillonite contributed to the improved performance. The resulting PLA-based composite films showed good water/oxygen barrier performance and excellent biodegradability, making them potential packaging materials.
POLYMER COMPOSITES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hao Liu, Bao Zhang, Laihong Zhou, Jinbo Li, Jiacheng Zhang, Xiao Chen, Shunjian Xu, Hui He
Summary: Hybrid nanofillers based on CNC-OMMT were prepared and incorporated into PLA nanocomposites, showing synergistic effects on enhancing mechanical properties, crystallization rate, and heat resistance of the materials. This novel approach provides a new route for the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites.
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Xiang Lu, Mengjie Sheng, Yanhong Deng, Jiuling Lu, Hao Wu, Yi Li, Zhigang Liu, Yi Tong, Jin-Ping Qu
Summary: A one-step dynamic vulcanization strategy was adopted to prepare PLA/PU/MXene nanocomposites with balanced stiffness and toughness. The results showed that MXene content had a significant impact on the properties of the materials, and the pre-intercalation treatment achieved good dispersion of MXene in the polymer matrix.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ruth Anayimi Lafia-Araga, Ronald Sabo, Omid Nabinejad, Laurent Matuana, Nicole Stark
Summary: In this study, cellulose nanofibrils were modified by catalyzed lactic acid esterification in an aqueous medium. The modification improved the mechanical properties of the films, reduced water absorption, and enhanced barrier properties. The addition of lactic acid-grafted CNF to PLA composites improved water vapor permeability, showing potential for environmentally friendly modification of CNFs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria-Eirini Grigora, Zoe Terzopoulou, Konstantinos Tsongas, Dimitrios N. Bikiaris, Dimitrios Tzetzis
Summary: This study aims to improve the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for future biomedical applications by investigating the effect of montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay on physicochemical and mechanical behavior. The presence of Joncryl and pretreatment of MMT improved the distribution of MMT in the nanocomposites, enhancing the printability of PLA and improving the hydrophilicity of its surface. Nanoindentation testing showed an increase in the Young's modulus of PLA as the MMT weight fraction increased.
Article
Thermodynamics
Qian Zhao, Bowen Wang, Chenyuan Qin, Qiuxuan Li, Chuntai Liu, Changyu Shen, Yaming Wang
Summary: The study showed that the presence of MXene in nonisothermal melt crystallization increases crystallinity and shortens half-crystallization time, but does not change the crystallization peak temperature of PLA. In nonisothermal crystallization from the glassy state, the incorporation of MXene decreases the cold crystallization peak temperature and reduces crystallinity marginally, without affecting the half-crystallization time of PLA.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Khadidja Taleb, Salima Saidi-Besbes, Isabelle Pillin, Yves Grohens
Summary: Biocomposites based on PBS and OMt were prepared by melt blending process. Gemini surfactant-modified organoclays showed a uniform dispersion and exfoliation in the PBS matrix, leading to improved properties. Adding a small amount of PBS/OMt significantly reduced the water vapor permeability, making it a promising material for food packaging applications.
Article
Polymer Science
Magdalena L. Iglesias-Montes, Michelina Soccio, Valentina Siracusa, Massimo Gazzano, Nadia Lotti, Viviana P. Cyras, Liliana B. Manfredi
Summary: A fully bio-based blend of poly(lactic acid) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) was developed, with improved properties and biodegradability through the addition of chitin nanoparticles. This research shows potential for application as biodegradable packaging materials.
Article
Polymer Science
Masrat Rasheed, Mohammad Jawaid, Bisma Parveez
Summary: This study investigates the effects of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) from bamboo fiber on the properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) composites. The addition of CNC improves the thermal stability, tensile strength, and modulus of the composite, while reducing elongation at break.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Mihaela Ninciuleanu, Raluca Ianchis, Elvira Alexandrescu, Catalin Ionut Mihaescu, Sabina Burlacu, Bogdan Trica, Cristina Lavinia Nistor, Silviu Preda, Cristina Scomoroscenco, Catalina Gifu, Cristian Petcu, Mircea Teodorescu
Summary: This study investigates how the properties of poly(methacrylic acid) hydrogels can be controlled by adding different silicon-based fillers. The experiments reveal that the dispersion of the filler particles, pH of the environment, and filler characteristics affect the structure, swelling, and viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels. Furthermore, Laponite XLS filler demonstrates superior absorption properties for water pollutants and shows potential applications in controlled drug release devices.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mitul Kumar Patel, Freja Hansson, Olli Pitkanen, Shiyu Geng, Kristiina Oksman
Summary: This study investigates the enhancement of crystallinity and gas barrier properties of polylactic acid (PLA) by adding poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and glycerol triacetate (GTA) functionalized chitin nano crystals (ChNCs). The results show that the addition of ChNCs improves the crystallinity and mechanical properties of PHB, as well as significantly reduces the permeability of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This study demonstrates that adding ChNCs can achieve suitable gas barrier properties for food packaging films.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Qianjin Zhu, Kaixin Chang, Liyan Qi, Xinyi Li, Woming Gao, Qinwei Gao
Summary: In this study, PLLA films were surface-modified using different solutions, leading to changes in their structure and properties. The modification with PDLA weakened the crystal structure of the films, while modification with PDLAG increased the stereocomplex (SC) structure and decreased the homogeneous crystal (HC) structure.