In:
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Wiley, Vol. 131, No. 10 ( 2014-05-15)
Abstract:
Photoactivity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites is of great interest for rational design of products for either short‐term/single‐use or long‐term/durable applications. We prepared PLA/TiO 2 nanocomposite films through a solution mixing/film casting method. Results showed that photodegradability/photostability of PLA could be well modulated by selecting appropriate TiO 2 nanofillers. TiO 2 nanoparticles and nanowires were characterized using X‐ray diffraction, UV–Vis–NIR spectrophotometer, and scanning electron microscopy. Changes in color, weight, structure, thermal stability, and phase transitions of PLA and nanocomposite films before and after UV irradiation were evaluated to study photoactivity characteristics. Pure PLA exhibited moderate photodegradability, but the photodegradability and photostability of PLA nanocomposites (PNA) were significantly enhanced by NanoActive (NA) TiO 2 nanoparticles and A type TiO 2 nanowires, respectively. Pure PLA had a weight loss of 27% after 38 days of UV irradiation. The weight loss of photodegradable (PD) PNA (PNA = PLA with 1% NA TiO 2 ) reached 38%, whereas that of photostable (PS) nanocomposites (P3AW) (P3AW = PLA with 3% A type TiO 2 nanowire) was only 5%. PD PLA exhibited characteristic peaks of carboxylic acid OH stretching and CC double bond after UV irradiation in Fourier‐transform infrared spectra, whereas spectra of PS PLA remained almost the same. Thermal decomposition temperatures, glass transition temperatures, and melting temperatures of PD PLAs decreased dramatically after UV irradiation, but no obvious changes were observed for those of PS PLAs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 40241.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0021-8995
,
1097-4628
Language:
English
Publisher:
Wiley
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1491105-X
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