Effect of the Addition of Nano-Silica and Poly(ε-caprolactone) on the Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(lactic acid) Blends and Possible Application in Embossing Process

In this study, the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends with an addition of poly(ε–caprolactone) (PCL) and fumed silica (SiO2) were evaluated to research the possibility of their use as relief printing plates for embossing processes. PCL and nano-silica were added to the PLA matrix at different concentrations. Morphological, thermal and mechanical analyses were performed to determine the properties and possible functional characteristics of the studied blends. SEM micrographs showed that unmodified PLA/PCL blends exhibit a morphology typical of incompatible blends with clearly visible spherical domains of dispersed PCL in PLA. In particular, the results of the hardness tests showed that the selected blends have the optimal hardness (between 65 SH D and 75 SH D) for use in the embossing process. The tensile tests showed that the addition of nano-silica to neat PLA and to the PLA/PCL blends 50/50 and 60/40 improved the mechanical properties of the blends, especially stiffness and toughness. The DMA results showed that the addition of smaller amounts of SiO2 can contribute to an increase in storage modulus, which is due to good dispersion and distribution of SiO2 in the matrix. DSC analysis showed that the addition of PCL to PLA polymer increased the thermal stability of PLA and that the addition of nano-silica increased the degree of crystallinity of PLA. The TGA results showed that the addition of nano-silica improved the thermal degradation behavior of the studied blends, especially for blends modified with 3 wt% nano-silica. The results show that it is possible to optimize the mechanical and thermal properties of the blends with the aim of using them in the embossing process.

[1]  C. Persson,et al.  The Effect of PCL Addition on 3D-Printable PLA/HA Composite Filaments for the Treatment of Bone Defects , 2022, Polymers.

[2]  V. Siracusa,et al.  Chitin Nanocomposite Based on Plasticized Poly(lactic acid)/Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PLA/PHB) Blends as Fully Biodegradable Packaging Materials , 2022, Polymers.

[3]  A. Leones,et al.  Effect of the Addition of MgO Nanoparticles on the Thermally-Activated Shape Memory Behavior of Plasticized PLA Electrospun Fibers , 2022, Polymers.

[4]  M. Leskovac,et al.  Blends Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) with Addition of Poly(Lactic Acid) and Coconut Fibers: Thermal Analysis, Ageing Behavior and Application for Embossing Process , 2022, Polymers.

[5]  M. Jawaid,et al.  A comparative assessment of chemical, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of treated oil palm/pineapple fiber/bio phenolic composites , 2022, Polymer Composites.

[6]  U. Stankovič Elesini,et al.  Preparation, properties, and laser processing of poly(ɛ‐caprolactone)/poly(lactic acid) blends with addition of natural fibers as a potential for printing plates application , 2021, Polymer Engineering & Science.

[7]  A. S. Luyt,et al.  Effect of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and titanium ( IV ) dioxide content on the UV and hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends , 2021, Journal of Applied Polymer Science.

[8]  E. O. Castrejón-González,et al.  Thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) filled with modified silicon dioxide: importance of the surface area , 2021, Polymer Bulletin.

[9]  S. Ray,et al.  An overview of the recent advances in polylactide‐based sustainable nanocomposites , 2021 .

[10]  A. S. Luyt,et al.  Influence of accelerated weathering on the physical and structural properties of poly(lactic-acid)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PLA/PHBV) blends , 2021 .

[11]  D. Kučić Grgić,et al.  Biodegradable Polymer Blends Based on Thermoplastic Starch , 2020, Journal of Polymers and the Environment.

[12]  R. Puig,et al.  Polylactic Acid/Polycaprolactone Blends: On the Path to Circular Economy, Substituting Single-Use Commodity Plastic Products , 2020, Materials.

[13]  Masoud Dadras Chomachayi,et al.  Biodegradable Nanocomposites Developed from PLA/PCL Blends and Silk Fibroin Nanoparticles: Study on the Microstructure, Thermal Behavior, Crystallinity and Performance , 2020, Journal of Polymers and the Environment.

[14]  K. Formela,et al.  Poly(ε-Caprolactone)/Poly(Lactic Acid) Blends Compatibilized by Peroxide Initiators: Comparison of Two Strategies , 2020, Polymers.

[15]  R. Spina Performance Analysis of Colored PLA Products with a Fused Filament Fabrication Process , 2019, Polymers.

[16]  M. Šlouf,et al.  Phase Structure, Compatibility, and Toughness of PLA/PCL Blends: A Review , 2019, Front. Mater..

[17]  Shen Su,et al.  Polylactide (PLA) and Its Blends with Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS): A Brief Review , 2019, Polymers.

[18]  Durability and Life Prediction in Biocomposites, Fibre-Reinforced Composites and Hybrid Composites , 2019 .

[19]  T. Ougizawa,et al.  Development of poly(ε-caprolactone)/pine resin blends: Study of thermal, mechanical, and antimicrobial properties , 2018, Polymer Engineering & Science.

[20]  S. M. Poljacek,et al.  Thermal, Surface and Mechanical Properties of PCL/PLA composites with coconut fibres as an alternative material to photopolymer printing plates , 2017 .

[21]  J. Kenny,et al.  Design of biodegradable blends based on PLA and PCL: From morphological, thermal and mechanical studies to shape memory behavior , 2016 .

[22]  Shulin Sun,et al.  Enhanced properties of poly(lactic acid) with silica nanoparticles , 2016 .

[23]  N. Sombatsompop,et al.  Effect of PCL and Compatibility Contents on the Morphology, Crystallization and Mechanical Properties of PLA/PCL Blends☆ , 2016 .

[24]  Xuesi Chen,et al.  Preparation of high toughness and high transparency polylactide blends resin based on multiarmed polycaprolactone‐block‐poly(l‐lactide) , 2016 .

[25]  R. Balart,et al.  Effect of miscibility on mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid)/ polycaprolactone blends , 2016 .

[26]  E. Fortunati,et al.  Processing and characterization of plasticized PLA/PHB blends for biodegradable multiphase systems , 2015 .

[27]  V. Kovačević,et al.  Potential role of nanofillers as compatibilizers in immiscible PLA/LDPE Blends , 2015 .

[28]  Koen Dewettinck,et al.  Fumed silica-based organogels and ‘aqueous-organic’ bigels , 2015 .

[29]  C. Silvestre,et al.  Hydrophobic silica nanoparticles as reinforcing filler for poly (lactic acid) polymer matrix , 2015 .

[30]  A. K. Matta,et al.  Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable PLA/PCL Polymeric Blends , 2014 .

[31]  Balázs Imre,et al.  Compatibilization in bio-based and biodegradable polymer blends , 2013 .

[32]  M. U. Wahit,et al.  Preparation, Characterization, and Mechanical Properties of Poly(e-caprolactone)/Polylactic Acid Blend Composites , 2013 .

[33]  P. Bártolo,et al.  Thermal Stability of PCL/PLA Blends Produced by Physical Blending Process , 2013 .

[34]  Mohamed A. Abdelwahab,et al.  Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of plasticized PLA–PHB blends , 2012 .

[35]  L. Fambri,et al.  Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Performances of Poly(Lactic Acid) , 2012, Journal of Polymers and the Environment.

[36]  M. Arena,et al.  Preparation, characterization and biodegradation of biopolymer nanocomposites based on fumed silica , 2011 .

[37]  R. P. John,et al.  An overview of the recent developments in polylactide (PLA) research. , 2010, Bioresource technology.

[38]  A. Hassan,et al.  Comparison of Polylactic Acid/Kenaf and Polylactic Acid/Rise Husk Composites: The Influence of the Natural Fibers on the Mechanical, Thermal and Biodegradability Properties , 2010 .

[39]  C. Ugwu,et al.  Biodegradability of Plastics , 2009, International journal of molecular sciences.

[40]  R J Murphy,et al.  Biodegradable and compostable alternatives to conventional plastics , 2009, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.

[41]  D. Hutmacher,et al.  The return of a forgotten polymer : Polycaprolactone in the 21st century , 2009 .

[42]  J. Sarasua,et al.  Crystallization, morphology, and mechanical behavior of polylactide/poly(ε‐caprolactone) blends , 2006 .

[43]  E. Piorkowska,et al.  Crystallization, structure and properties of plasticized poly(l-lactide) , 2005 .

[44]  Polycarpos Pissis,et al.  Glass transition and molecular dynamics in poly(dimethylsiloxane)/silica nanocomposites , 2005 .

[45]  Chin-San Wu Improving polylactide/starch biocomposites by grafting polylactide with acrylic acid--characterization and biodegradability assessment. , 2005, Macromolecular bioscience.

[46]  Chin-San Wu Physical properties and biodegradability of maleated-polycaprolactone/starch composite , 2003 .

[47]  H. Schliephake,et al.  A review of material properties of biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers and devices for GTR and GBR applications. , 1996, The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants.