Potential role of nanofillers as compatibilizers in immiscible <scp>PLA/LDPE</scp> Blends

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article describes the use of commercial silica (SiO 2 ) and calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) nanofillers as compatibilizers in immiscible polylactide/low‐density polyethylene (PLA/LDPE) blends. The general aim of the study was to investigate the possibilities of replacing standard commodity plastics such as LDPE based on non‐renewable mineral oil resources with the biodegradable renewable polymer PLA in compatibilized PLA/LDPE blends for use in the packaging industry. The calculations of the minimal interfacial energy and optimal wetting abilities indicated that SiO 2 filler was a better potential compatibilizer than CaCO 3 for a given PLA/LDPE blend. This was due to its preferential localization at the interface. The significantly improved morphology of the ternary PLA/LDPE/SiO 2 blend was found to present an increased strength, toughness, and crystallinity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132 , 41414.