• R RAKESH KUMAR

      Articles written in Bulletin of Materials Science

    • Influence of MgO and ZnO nanofillers on morphology, structural, thermal and mechanical properties of polylactic acid films

      A AKSHAYKRANTH N JAYARAMBABU T VENKATAPPA RAO R RAKESH KUMAR

      More Details Abstract Fulltext PDF

      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.

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      Posted on October 12, 2020

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      Chemical Sciences 2020

      Prof. Surajit Dhara — School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
      Physical Sciences 2020

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