Preparation of polylactide/graphene composites from liquid‐phase exfoliated graphite sheets

Abstract

Polylactide (PLA)/graphene nanocomposites were prepared by a facile and low‐cost method of solution‐blending of PLA with liquid‐phase exfoliated graphene using chloroform as a mutual solvent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to observe the structure and morphology of the exfoliated graphene. The dispersion of graphene in PLA matrix was examined by scanning electron microscope, X‐ray diffraction, and TEM. FTIR spectrum and the relatively low I D / I G ratio in Raman spectroscopy indicate that the structure of graphene sheets (GSs) is intact and can act as good reinforcement fillers in PLA matrix. Thermogravimetric analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis reveal that the addition of GSs greatly improves the thermal stability of PLA/GSs nanocomposites. Moreover, tensile strength of PLA/GSs nanocomposites is much higher than that of PLA homopolymer, increasing from 36.64 (pure PLA) up to 51.14 MPa (PLA/GSs‐1.0). POLYM. COMPOS., 35:396–403, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers