title: Graphite nanoplatelets-modified PLA/PCL: Effect of blend ratio and nanofiller localization on structure and properties.
abstract: Structure and properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) influenced by graphite nanoplatelets (GNP) were studied in dependence on blend composition. Electron microscopy indicates predominant localization of GNP in PCL. GNP-induced changes in viscosity hinder refinement of PCL inclusions, support PCL continuity in the co-continuous system, and lead to reduction of PLA inclusions size without GNP being present at the interface in the PCL-matrix blend. Negligible differences in crystallinity of both phases indicate that mechanical behaviour is mainly influenced by reinforcement and GNP-induced changes in morphology. Addition of 5 parts of GNP leads to ~40% and ~25% increase of stiffness in the PCL- and PLA-matrix systems, respectively, whereas the reinforcing effect is practically eliminated in the co-continuous systems due to GNP-induced lower continuity of PLA which enhances toughness. Impact resistance of the 80/20 blend shows increase with 5 parts content due to synergistic effect of PCL/GNP stacks, whereas minor increase in the blend of the ductile PCL matrix with brittle PLA inclusions is caused by GNP-modification of the component parameters. Results indicate high potential of GNP in preparing biocompatible systems with wide range of structure and properties.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovskeho nam. 2, 162 06 Praha, Czechia. Electronic address: kelnar@imc.cas.cz.
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kelnar
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovskeho nam. 2, 162 06 Praha, Czechia.
authors.forename: Jaroslav
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kratochvíl
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovskeho nam. 2, 162 06 Praha, Czechia.
authors.forename: Ludmila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaprálková
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovskeho nam. 2, 162 06 Praha, Czechia.
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zhigunov
authors.affiliation: Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Heyrovskeho nam. 2, 162 06 Praha, Czechia.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nevoralová
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C016240:polycaprolactone; C033616:poly(lactide); D006108:Graphite
keywords: Bone tissue engineering; Graphite nanoplatelets; Mechanical properties; Poly (lactic acid); Poly (ɛ-caprolactone); Structure