title: Poly(lactic acid)-Based in Situ Microfibrillar Composites with Enhanced Crystallization Kinetics, Mechanical Properties, Rheological Behavior, and Foaming Ability.
abstract: Melt blending is one of the most promising techniques for eliminating poly(lactic acid)'s (PLA) numerous drawbacks. However, success in a typical melt blending process is usually achieved through the inclusion of high concentrations of a second polymeric phase which can compromise PLA's green nature. In a pioneering study, we introduce the production of in situ microfibrillar PLA/polyamide-6 (PA6) blends as a cost-effective and efficient technique for improving PLA's properties while minimizing the required PA6 content. Predominantly biobased products, with only 3 wt % of in situ generated PA6 microfibrils (diameter ≈200 nm), were shown to have dramatically improved crystallization kinetics, mechanical properties, melt elasticity and strength, and foaming-ability compared with PLA. Crucially, the microfibrillar blends were produced using an environmentally friendly and cost-effective process. Both of these qualities are essential in guarantying the viability of the proposed technique for overcoming the obstacles associated with the vast commercialization of PLA.
authors.affiliation: Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
authors.forename: Adel Ramezani
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kakroodi
authors.affiliation: Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
authors.forename: Yasamin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.affiliation: Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
authors.forename: WeiDan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Advanced Composites Laboratory, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Washington State University Tri-Cities , 2710 Crimson Way, Richland, Washington 99354, United States.
authors.forename: Aboutaleb
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ameli
authors.affiliation: Microcellular Plastics Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto , 5 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G8, Canada.
authors.forename: Chul B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D002209:Caprolactam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization; D004548:Elasticity; D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D007700:Kinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; C009916:nylon 6; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide); D002209:Caprolactam