title: High-performance polylactide/ZnO nanocomposites designed for films and fibers with special end-use properties.
abstract: Metallic oxides have been successfully investigated for the recycling of polylactide (PLA) via catalyzed unzipping depolymerization allowing for the selective recovery of lactide monomer. In this contribution, a metallic oxide nanofiller, that is, ZnO, has been dispersed into PLA without detrimental polyester degradation yielding PLA/ZnO nanocomposites directly suitable for producing films and fibers. The nanocomposites were produced by melt-blending two different grades of PLA with untreated ZnO and surface-treated ZnO nanoparticles. The surface treatment by silanization proved to be necessary for avoiding the decrease in molecular weight and thermal and mechanical properties of the filled polyester matrix. Silane-treated ZnO nanoparticles yielded nanocomposites characterized by good mechanical performances (tensile strength in the interval from 55 to 65 MPa), improved thermal stability, and fine nanofiller dispersion, as evidenced by microscopy investigations. PLA/ZnO nanocomposites were further extruded in films and fibers, respectively, characterized by anti-UV and antibacterial properties.
authors.affiliation: Center of Innovation and Research in Materials & Polymers (CIRMAP), Laboratory of Polymeric and Composite Materials (LPCM), University of Mons & Materia Nova Research Center, Mons, Belgium. marius.murariu@materianova.be
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murariu
authors.forename: Awa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Doumbia
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bonnaud
authors.forename: Anne-Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dechief
authors.forename: Yoann
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Paint
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Campagne
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Devaux
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dubois
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D049329:Nanostructures; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D015034:Zinc Oxide