Melt rheological investigation of polylactide‐nanographite platelets biopolymer composites

Abstract

This study is an analytical investigation of processability of biopolymer‐carbon based nanofiller composites primarily through rheological investigation of samples. The composites were fabricated via dry mixing and melt‐blending of biodegradable polylactide (PLA) and nanographite platelets (NGP) in a Brabender twin screw extruder. A range of different nanofiller contents (1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt %) were studied for NGP containing composites. The morphology was studied with X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques and showed poor dispersion, with agglomerates, tactoids, and exfoliated layers present. Mechanical properties showed an optimum at 3 wt % filler. Results showed that the composites exhibited higher elastic and viscous moduli than neat PLA. The rheological percolation threshold predicted by changes in slope (α) as well as liquid–solid transition theory of samples was found around 3 wt % through the change from liquid‐like behavior to pseudo‐solid‐like behavior at terminal region during dynamic oscillatory measurements. NGP nanofillers were found to enhance the viscoelastic and mechanical properties of PLA at low concentrations; however, an efficient dispersion of nanofillers within polymer by melt intercalation method of mixing was not achieved. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:175–188, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers