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Polylactide (PLA)—Halloysite Nanocomposites: Production, Morphology and Key-Properties

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Abstract

To evaluate the potential of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) as nanofiller for polylactide (PLA), various nanocomposites have been successfully produced by melt-blending the polyester matrix with HNT (HNT(QM)). HNT were also surface treated by silanization reaction with 3-(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPM). The morphology, thermal, tensile and impact strength properties of the nanocomposites containing 3–12 % HNT were evaluated and compared to those of pristine (unfilled) PLA. The nanocomposites were characterized by higher rigidity (with Young’s modulus increasing with HNT loading), higher tensile strength (about 70 MPa at 6 % HNT(QM)), whereas the elongation at break and impact strength did not decrease. As demonstrated under dynamic solicitation (DMA), melt-blending PLA with HNT led to enhancement of storage modulus (E′) and offers the possibility to use PLA in applications requiring higher temperatures of utilization. However, with few exceptions, TGA and DSC measurements did not reveal important changes of thermal parameters. The surface silanization treatment proved to improve the quality of the nanofiller dispersion even at higher loading. As a result, good thermal stability associated to high tensile strength, and noticeable increases in impact properties were recorded. Furthermore, enhanced nucleating ability and crystallization kinetics of the PLA matrix were revealed as specific characteristics.

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Acknowledgments

Authors thank the Wallonia Region, Nord-Pas de Calais Region and European Community for the financial support in the frame of the IINTERREG IV—NANOLAC project. They thank all partners, especially to Professor Serge Bourbigot (ENSC Lille), Professor Eric Devaux (ENSAIT- Roubaix, France) and their collaborators, for helpful discussions and all mentioned companies for supplying raw materials. This work was also supported by the European Commission and Région Wallonne FEDER program (Materia Nova) and OPTI²MAT program of excellence, by the Interuniversity Attraction Pole program of the Belgian Federal Science Policy Office (PAI 6/27) and by FNRS-FRFC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Innovation and Research in Materials and Polymers (CIRMAP), Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials (LPCM), University of Mons and Materia Nova Research Center, Place du Parc 20, 7000, Mons, Belgium

    Marius Murariu, Anne-Laure Dechief, Yoann Paint, Sophie Peeterbroeck, Leila Bonnaud & Philippe Dubois

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  1. Marius Murariu
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  2. Anne-Laure Dechief
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  4. Sophie Peeterbroeck
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  6. Philippe Dubois
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Correspondence to Marius Murariu or Philippe Dubois.

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Murariu, M., Dechief, AL., Paint, Y. et al. Polylactide (PLA)—Halloysite Nanocomposites: Production, Morphology and Key-Properties. J Polym Environ 20, 932–943 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-012-0488-4

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