R RAKESH KUMAR
Articles written in Bulletin of Materials Science
Volume 45 All articles Published: 10 December 2022 Article ID 0247
A AKSHAYKRANTH N JAYARAMBABU T VENKATAPPA RAO R RAKESH KUMAR
This study is about the influence of magnesium oxide (MgO) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the morphology, structural, thermal and mechanical properties of the polylactic acid (PLA) films. The pure PLA and PLA nanocomposites were prepared using a cost-effective film applicator at 2 and 5 wt% of nanofillers. The dispersity and elements were examined by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy. For 2 wt% of nanofiller in the film, the agglomeration of nanoparticles was not observed, whereas for higher weight percentages agglomeration took place. X-ray diffraction study confirms the improved crystallinity of PLA at 2 wt% nanofillers. Thermal analysis of PLA composite films confirms that the values of glass transition ($T_g$), crystallization ($T_c$) and melting temperature ($T_m$) increased for 2 wt% and decreased for 5 wt% nanofillers. At 2 wt%, the glass transition temperatures of PLA/ZnO andPLA/MgO nanocomposite films are 63 and 62°C, respectively. Further, the tensile test confirms that 2 wt% of nanofiller incorporated PLA films have better properties than 5 wt% of nanofiller due to the better dispersion of nanoparticles. At 2 wt% of MgO and ZnO nanoparticles, tensile strength ($T_s$) was increased to 19.4 ± 0.97 and 22 ± 1.1 MPa, respectively. The prepared PLA nanocomposite films with improved thermal and mechanical properties can be utilized in food packaging applications.
Volume 46, 2023
All articles
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Prof. Subi Jacob George — Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bengaluru
Chemical Sciences 2020
Prof. Surajit Dhara — School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
Physical Sciences 2020
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