The effect of soil burial degradation on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid)/graphene nanoplatelets nanocomposites
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/jceib.v12i1.10712Keywords:
Poly(lactic acid), Graphene nanoplatelets, Mechanical properties, Nanocomposites, Degradation, Thermal propertiesAbstract
In this research, the effect of soil burial degradation of poly (lactic) acid (PLA)/graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) nanocomposites on its mechanical and thermal properties was reported. PLA is a polyester made with two conceivable monomers, or building blocks: lactic acid and lactide. Much research has been done about PLA that has been tested and mixed with other materials, such as graphene and other nanofillers. For this research, graphene nanoplatelets are blended into PLA using the melt-blending method to enhance PLA properties. The effect of degradation on the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/GNP is reported. The mechanical properties observed after the degradation process indicate that the tensile strength decreased by 80.29% for PLA and by 70.90% for PLA/GNP. At the same time, thermogravimetric analysis shows that the degradation process reduced the thermal stability of both neat PLA and PLA/GNP nanocomposites. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed no new peak formation of PLA/GNP before and after degradation. However, the XRD peak intensity of the degraded PLA/GNP was higher, indicating a shift in crystalline arrangement.
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