title: Structure and properties of highly toughened biodegradable polylactide/ZnO biocomposite films.
abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) powder was investigated in terms of its use as filler in order to improve the inherent properties of PLA. Biocomposite films of PLA with different loadings of ZnO were prepared by solution casting method. Morphological analyses using SEM and POM showed that the ZnO particles were well dispersed at low ZnO loading, with starfish-like morphology. However, ZnO agglomeration was found at higher ZnO loadings. Tensile testing showed improvements in strength and a moderate improvement in toughness at 2 wt% ZnO loading. This is consistent with the homogeneous dispersion of ZnO particles in the PLA matrix. ZnO particles incorporation improved the thermal stability of PLA. In summary, ZnO particles were shown to have the potential as a toughener in the preparation of biocomposites with better integrity, although other approaches, such as the use of compatibilizer in the surface modification of ZnO will be needed for the concurrent improvement of PLA properties.
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa; DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 835, Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: jayaramphd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jayaramudu
authors.affiliation: Centre for Quality Assurance & Non Destructive Evaluation Sathyabama University, Chennai-600119, India. Electronic address: kunalchemdas@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kunal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Das
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Science & Technology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sonakshi
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Siva Mohan Reddy
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Aderibigbe
authors.affiliation: Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Rotimi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sadiku
authors.affiliation: DST/CSIR Nanotechnology Innovation Centre, National Centre for Nano-Structured Materials, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, P.O. Box 835, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Suprakas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha Ray
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide); D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Casting; Mechanical properties; Polymer-matrix biocomposites; Thermal properties