Isothermal Cold Crystallization and Melting Behaviors of Poly(lactic acid)/Epoxy Vinyl Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes Nanocomposites

Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA)/epoxy vinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (EP-POSS) nanocomposites were prepared via melt blending. The isothermal cold crystallization and melting behavors of pure PLA and its nanocomposites were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The crystal growth model of PLA was a mixture of two-dimensional discotic growth and three-dimensional spherulite growth, as evidenced by the values of the Avrami exponent ranging from 2.15 to 2.66. The crystallization rate displayed a great dependence on the EP-POSS loading level and crystallization temperature, and a transition from regime II to regime III was observed around 115°C. The values of fold surface free energy were calculated from the nucleation parameter which was determined by the Hoffman-Lauritzen equation. Polarizing microscope images (POM) indicated that EP-POSS promoted the nucleation of PLA.     

Effect of sepiolite on the crystallization behavior of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) as an efficient nucleating agent

To enhance the crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), fibrous sepiolite was explored for nucleating the crystallization of PLA. PLA/sepiolite nanocomposites were prepared via the melt‐extrusion method. The effect of sepiolite on the crystallization behavior, spherulite growth and crystal structure of PLA were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscope (POM), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning election microscope (SEM). On the basis of DSC and POM results, the overall crystallization kinetics of PLA/sepiolite nanocomposites were significantly enhanced leading to higher crystallinity and nucleation density, faster spherulite growth rate (G) and lower crystallization half‐time (t_1/2) compared with the neat PLA. Under non‐isothermal conditions, the PLA blend comprising 1.0 wt% of sepiolite still revealed two crystallization peaks upon cooling at a rate of 35°C/min. Above phenomena strongly suggested that sepiolite was an effective nucleating agent for PLA. FTIR and WAXD analyses confirmed that the crystal structure of PLA matrix was the most common α‐form. SEM micrographics illustrated the fine three‐dimensional spherulite structures with the lath‐shape lamellae regularly arranged in radial directions. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:1104–1112, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

ISOTHERMAL CRYSTALLIZATION AND SUBSEQUENT MELTING BEHAVIOR OF POLY(ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)/SILICA NANOCOMPOSITES

The crystallization process of nanocomposites was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and analyzed by the Avrami method. It was found that the crystallization of pure poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is fitted for thermal nucleation and three-dimensional spherical growth in the whole process, while the crystallization of PET/silica nanocomposites exhibits two stages: the first stage corresponds to athermal nucleation and three-dimensional spherical growth, and the second one corresponds to recrystallization caused by the earlier spherulite impingement. The crystallization rate increases markedly and the activation energies decrease greatly with adding silica nanoparticles. The subsequent melting behavior of the crystallized samples shows that the melting point (T_m) of nanocomposites is higher than that of pure PET, which might result from two reasons: (1) some hindrance to the PET chains caused by the nanoparticles at the beginning of the melting process; and (2) more perfect crystals being formed due to the higher crystallization temperature and lower activation energy of PET/silica nanocomposites.     

Morphological and rheological characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotube/PLA/PBAT blend nanocomposites

Biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/poly (butyleneadipate-co-butyleneterephthalate) (PBAT)/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) polymer blend nanocomposites were prepared by using a laboratory-scale twin-screw extruder. Fractured surface morphology of the polymer blend/MWNT nanocomposites were examined via SEM. Furthermore, cross sectioned samples obtained using an ultramicrotome was observed via TEM. In addition, effects of both MWNT reinforcement and phase affinity of MWNT on thermal and rheological properties of the PLA/PBAT blends were investigated by TGA and rotational rheometer. Immiscible PLA/PBAT blend with MWNT nanocomposites showed two-step thermal degradation. The onset temperature of thermal degradation started in the PLA much earlier than in the PBAT. Nonetheless, based on TGA data, it was found that the MWNT enhanced thermal property of the PLA/PBAT blend/MWNT nanocomposites. Rheological properties revealed that both shear and complex viscosities showed unique shear thinning behavior due to selectively localized MWNT dispersion state.     

Impact of thermal processing or solvent casting upon crystallization of PLA nanocellulose and/or nanoclay composites

Here, we present how processing (solvent casting or isothermal crystallization) impacts crystallinity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites (PLA/1 wt % cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), PLA/1 wt % nanoclay (C30B) or PLA/1 wt % CNF/1 wt % C30B. Polarized optical microscopy demonstrated a heterogeneous nucleation process during isothermal crystallization leading to smaller homogeneously distributed spherulites. With solvent casting, no effect on morphology was observed with respect to the nanoparticles, but an increased spherulite size was observed at higher temperatures. This fact raises significant concerns regarding the suitability of solvent casting as a lab-scale procedure to investigate materials. Additionally, combining the reinforcing agents, CNF, and C30B, did not increase nucleation rate, in contrast with the general tendency, where the incorporation of both particles led to improved properties (e.g., thermomechanical and barrier properties). However, a combination of C30B and CNF did lead to an overall increase in the rigid amorphous fraction and a reduced mobile amorphous fraction. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47486.     

PLA/PBAT/OMMT纳米复合材料的制备及其结构与性能研究

通过转矩流变仪将聚乳酸（PLA）、聚己二酸对苯二甲酸丁二酯（PBAT）、有机蒙脱土（OMMT）和扩链剂（ADR）熔融共混制备了PLA/PBAT/OMMT三元纳米复合材料。通过差示扫描量热仪、偏光显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、旋转流变仪和傅里叶红外光谱仪对复合材料的结晶性能、熔融行为、相态结构、流变性能等进行了分析。结果表明,PBAT和OMMT的加入提高了PLA的结晶速率和晶核密度; ADR的加入提高了PLA与PBAT的相容性;随着ADR的加入,PLA/PBAT/OMMT复合材料的储能模量提高,体系的熔体弹性增加。     

Crystallization behavior of α‐cellulose short‐fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites

The isothermal crystallization behavior of α‐cellulose short‐fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites (PLA/α‐cellulose) was examined using a differential scanning calorimeter and a petrographic microscope. Incorporating a natural micro‐sized cellulose filler increased the spherulite growth rate of the PLA from 3.35 μm/min for neat PLA at 105°C to a maximum of 5.52 μm/min for the 4 wt % PLA/α‐cellulose composite at 105°C. In addition, the inclusion of α‐cellulose significantly increased the crystallinities of the PLA/α‐cellulose composites. The crystallinities for the PLA/α‐cellulose composites that crystallized at 125°C were 48–58%, higher than that of the neat PLA for ～13.5–37.2%. The Avrami exponent n values for the neat and PLA/α‐cellulose composites ranged from 2.50 to 2.81 and from 2.45 to 3.44, respectively, and the crystallization rates K of the PLA/α‐cellulose composites were higher than those of the neat PLA. The activation energies of crystallization for the PLA/α‐cellulose composites were higher than that of the neat PLA. The inclusion of α‐cellulose imparted more nucleating sites to the PLA polymer. Therefore, it was necessary to release additional energy and initiate molecular deposition. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

不同PEG含量对PLA/PEG共混物结晶动力学的影响

采用溶液共混法制备了一系列不同配比的聚乳酸(PLA)/聚乙二醇(PEG)共混物。通过偏光显微镜(POM)、扫描电镜(SEM)和差式扫描量热仪(DSC)研究了不同PEG含量的PLA/PEG共混物在不同结晶温度下,聚乳酸的晶体形貌、球晶生长速率及热力学性能。研究发现,PEG能够显著提高聚乳酸球晶的生长速率。当PEG含量为60%时,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶的生长速率最快,达到23.6μm/min,比纯聚乳酸的最快球晶生长速率(0.5μm/min)高47倍。但是,当PEG含量高于60%时,聚乳酸球晶的生长速率有所降低。同时,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶速率随结晶温度变化的取向,均向低温移动。另外,PLA/PEG共混物中聚乳酸球晶呈现环状花纹。DSC测试结果表明,随着PEG含量的增加,PLA/PEG共混物的玻璃化转变温度明显降低。     

Dispersion,crystallization behavior,and mechanical properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) nanocomposites with various silica nanoparticles: effect of surface modifiers

Silica nanoparticles (NPs) with various surface properties were introduced in poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) matrix and the their effect on the dispersion, crystallization behavior, and reinforcement in the nanocomposites was discussed in this article. Two kinds of commercial fumed silica NPs and two kinds of self-prepared sol-gel silica (bare and PEGylated) NPs were used. The cross-sectional SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images, provided the micrometer scale view (observation area: 12.6×8.2 μm²), showed that commercial fumed silica and PEG–silica NPs were aggregated and well-dispersed in PHB matrix, respectively. Similarly, Morisita’s analysis of TEM (transmission electron microscopy) images (observation area: 2.4×1.6 μm²) indicated that PEG-silica NPs were Poisson dispersed and commercial fumed silica NPs were serious aggregated in PHB matrix. However, SEM-EDX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) Si-mapping micrographs, provided the millimeter scale view (observation area: 0.79×0.61 mm²), showed that four kinds of silica NPs were well-dispersed in PHB matrix. PLM (polarized light microscopy) images indicated that spherulite growth rate and morphology of PHB did not change obviously upon the addition of various silica NPs, except the PHB/PEG–silica system. PHB/PEG–silica showed a decreased spherulite growth rate, which was consistent with the DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) results, because the good miscibility between PHB and the grafted PEG chains on PEG–silica could decrease the polymer chain mobility during crystallization. The Young’s modulus and tensile strength of the PHB were enhanced by up to 34% and 63% by adding a small amount of PEG–silica. Fully well-dispersed PEG–silica NPs functioned as physical cross-linking centers for enhancing the mechanical properties of PHB but as retarding agents for reducing the crystallization rate.     

纤维素纳米纤维对聚乳酸结晶、流变和拉伸性能的影响

采用熔融共混⁃注射成型制备了聚乳酸（PLA）/纤维素纳米纤维（CNFs）可生物降解纳米复合材料,利用差示扫描量热仪、流变测试、拉伸性能测试等手段,考察了CNFs含量对PLA/CNFs复合材料结晶行为、流变特性和力学性能的影响规律。结果表明,少量的CNFs能均匀分散在PLA基体中,CNFs可作为PLA的异相成核剂,提高结晶速率常数,缩短半结晶时间,CNFs的含量为5 %（质量分数,下同）时,半结晶时间由纯PLA的10.4 min缩短至2.9 min;CNFs体现出润滑作用,使PLA/CNFs复合材料的储能模量和损耗模量均低于纯PLA;CNFs的含量为3 %时,复合材料的断裂伸长率较纯PLA提高了41.2 %。     

Synergistic effects of cellulose nanocrystals-organic montmorillonite as hybrid nanofillers for enhancing mechanical,crystallization, and heat-resistant properties of three-dimensional printed poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC)-organic montmorillonite (OMMT) hybrid nanofillers were prepared, and their effects in reinforcing the performance of three-dimensional (3D) printed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites were studied. The results indicated that the hybrid CNC-OMMT nanofillers had a synergistic impact on enhancing the mechanical properties of PLA nanocomposites compared to either single nanofillers (CNC or OMMT). The dispersion of CNC-OMMT in the PLA matrix was not only significantly improved, but also the hybrid nanofillers did not form pore defects in the nanocomposites. In terms of the crystallization performance, the multidimensional hybrid nanofillers acted as efficient heterogeneous-nucleating agents and increased the PLA crystallization rate. Additionally, the incorporation of the hybrid nanofillers improved the heat resistance of the PLA nanocomposites when the printing platform temperature was adjusted to a temperature within the crystallization temperature range of PLA. The preparation of hybrid nanofillers based on existing nanomaterials and their incorporation into polymers creates a novel route for the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites.     

聚乳酸（PLA）／三醋酸甘油酯（TAc）的结晶性能研究

用三醋酸甘油酯（TAc）增塑聚乳酸（PLA）,研究了TAc对PLA在不同温度结晶时的结晶性能的影响。随着TAc的添加,PLA的结晶度与其球晶生长速率逐渐增加,断裂伸长率增大,抗张强度降低。TAc的最佳添加量为25％。研究不同温度等温结晶时PLA/TAc的机械性能以及晶体形态的影响,发现结晶温度升高,PLA/TAc的球晶生长速率减小,抗张强度增大,断裂伸长率降低。     

纳米纤维素的表面修饰及对聚乳酸膜的力学性能和阻隔性能的影响

本实验通过化学水解法从农林废弃物油茶果壳中提取出油茶果壳纳米纤维素（cellulose nanocrystals, CNC）,经丁酸酐表面修饰获得丁酸酯化纳米纤维素（butyrated cellulose nanocrystals, BCNC）后,通过溶液浇铸法制备得到了BCNC/聚乳酸（PLA）复合材料,研究了CNC改性后的形貌及性能变化,以及BCNC对PLA力学性能、阻隔性能及透光率的影响。研究结果表明,经改性后,纳米纤维素的团聚现象得到改善并能稳定的分散在非极性有机溶剂中。在PLA复合材料中,BCNC对PLA有增强增韧的效果,添加5 wt%的BCNC时,PLA膜的拉伸强度提升了30.1%。添加5 wt%的BCNC,PLA复合膜的水蒸气透过率和氧气透过率分别下降了60.0%和35.0%,且仍具有较高的透光率。由于BCNC在基体中有更好的分散性和界面结合,对提升PLA力学性能和阻隔性能的效果均优于CNC。     

纳米纤维素的表面修饰及对聚乳酸膜的力学性能和阻隔性能的影响

本实验通过化学水解法从农林废弃物油茶果壳中提取出油茶果壳纳米纤维素（cellulose nanocrystals, CNC），经丁酸酐表面修饰获得丁酸酯化纳米纤维素（butyrated cellulose nanocrystals, BCNC）后，通过溶液浇铸法制备得到了BCNC/聚乳酸（PLA）复合材料，研究了CNC改性后的形貌及性能变化，以及BCNC对PLA力学性能、阻隔性能及透光率的影响。研究结果表明，经改性后，纳米纤维素的团聚现象得到改善并能稳定的分散在非极性有机溶剂中。在PLA复合材料中，BCNC对PLA有增强增韧的效果，添加5 wt%的BCNC时，PLA膜的拉伸强度提升了30.1%。添加5 wt%的BCNC，PLA复合膜的水蒸气透过率和氧气透过率分别下降了60.0%和35.0%，且仍具有较高的透光率。由于BCNC在基体中有更好的分散性和界面结合，对提升PLA力学性能和阻隔性能的效果均优于CNC。     

New polylactide/layered silicate nanocomposites. 5. Designing of materials with desired properties

Understanding the structure/property relationship in polymer/layered silicate nanocomposites is of great importance in designing materials with desired properties. In order to understand these relations, a series of polylactide (PLA)/organically modified layered silicate (OMLS) nanocomposites have been prepared using a simple melt extrusion technique. Four different types of OMLS have been used for the preparation of nanocomposites, three were modified with functionalized ammonium salts while fourth one was a phosphonium salt modified OMLS. The structure of the nanocomposites in the nanometer scale was characterized by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopic observations. Using four different types of layered silicates modified with four different types of surfactants, the effect of OMLS in nanocomposites was investigated by focusing on four major aspects: structural analysis, thermal properties and spherulite morphology, materials properties, and biodegradability. Finally, we draw conclusions about the structure/property relationship in the case of PLA/OMLS nanocomposites.     

Preparation, Crystallization Behavior, and Morphology of Poly(lactic acid) Clay Hybrids via Wet Kneading Masterbatch Process

Modified masterbatch method comprising of the wet kneading and intercalated modifiers process was successfully applied to prepare exfoliated polylactic acid (PLA) clay hybrids. The crystallization rate of PLA/clay nanocomposite was improved by introducing alkylamide, an intercalated modifier with higher crystallinity. Both XRD and TEM analyses showed that the exfoliated and partially intercalated PLA nanocomposites can be obtained. The effect of clay and intercalated modifier on the nonisothermal, isothermal crystallization kinetics, and morphology of PLA was investigated using DSC instrument. The PLA nanocomposites showed faster crystallization rate because the alkylamide modifier act as a nucleation agent that successfully promoted crystallization. Notably, the crystallinity of PLA/clay hybrids dramatically increased from 9.0 to 42.1 %. The nucleation and crystal growth rate of PLA when crystallized from melt state is greatly influenced by the presence of organoclays. Therefore, as revealed from this isothermal crystallization investigation, the crystallization rate is enhanced by a factor of about 7–17.     

Synthesis and characterization of PLA nanocomposites containing nanosilica modified with different organosilanes II: Effect of the organosilanes on the properties of nanocomposites: Thermal characterization

Thermal behavior of polylactic acid (PLA)/nanosilica nanocomposites prepared via bulk ring opening polymerization from lactide was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Both unmodified nanosilica and modified by surface treatments with different amounts of two distinct silanes were used. Samples containing pure silica show enhanced crystallization processes; with silane‐modified silica this effect is magnified, especially in the case of materials with high loadings of epoxy silane. Nonisothermal crystallization temperatures become higher and isothermal crystallization kinetics show a marked increase of Kinetic constant (K_c). TGA analyses show that, when pure nanosilica is present, nanocomposites have a thermal stability far greater than the one of standard PLA, starting their degradation at temperatures up to 70°C higher than the ones of pure PLA. When silanes are present, thermal stability lowers as silane content increases, but it is anyway higher than the one of the pure polymer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

PA11/白炭黑纳米复合材料非等温结晶动力学研究

采用原位聚合法制备了聚酰胺(PA)11/白炭黑纳米复合材料,利用差示扫描量热仪研究了PA11纳米复合材料的非等温结晶过程,用经Jeziorny修正的Avrami方程、Mo法对其非等温结晶动力学进行了分析,计算并得到了非等温结晶动力学参数。结果表明,Avrami方程、Mo法都适用于处理PA11及其纳米复合材料的非等温结晶过程;在非等温结晶过程中,PA11及其纳米复合材料都包括初期结晶和二次结晶两个阶段;Avrami方程和Mo法表明,白炭黑含量较低时可提高复合材料的结晶速率,含量过高时则阻碍晶体的生长。     

Rheology and biodegradation of polylactide/silica nanocomposites

Silica‐filled polylactide (PLA) nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding. The oscillatory rheological properties and biodegradation behavior were then investigated. As the silica loadings reach up to 5 wt%, percolated silica network structures form. For the percolated PLA/silica nanocomposites sample (the silica content was >5 wt%), the modulus enhances with an increase of temperature evidently. Moreover, it is interesting to find that the biodegradation rates have been enhanced obviously in the PLA/silica nanocomposites than in neat PLA. The erosion mechanism of neat PLA and the PLA/silica nanocomposites was further discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Crystallization and morphology studies of biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone)/silica nanocomposites

Biodegradable poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)/silica nanocomposites at various silica loadings were prepared via direct melt compounding method in this work. Scanning electron microscopy observation indicated that when the silica content was < 3 wt%, the nanoparticles dispersed evenly in the PCL matrix and exhibited only aggregates with particle size of less than 100 nm. The results of nonisothermal melt crystallization showed that the crystallization peak temperature was higher in the nanocomposites than in neat PCL; moreover, the overall crystallization rate was faster in the nanocomposites than in neat PCL during isothermal melt crystallization. Both nonisothermal and isothermal melt crystallization studies suggested that the crystallization of PCL was enhanced by the presence of silica and influenced by the silica loading. The effect of silica on the crystallization behavior was twofold: the presence of silica may provide heterogeneous nucleation sites for the PCL crystallization while the aggregates of silica may restrict crystal growth of PCL. However, the crystal structure of PCL remained almost unchanged despite the presence of silica in the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers