TiO2 contents are dependent on room temperature optical transmittance (in the UV-Vis region) of different PLA nanocomposites with the neat PLA film. Optical transmittance of polymer-based biodegradable films is significant for sundry industrial applications, especially in food packaging where the attractiveness of the food by customers potentially depends on the aesthetic view by naked eyes under visible light illumination.
Transparency of the films can be controlled by two ways
1. by controlling the concentration of nanoparticles in the composite film
2. By changing the nano particles with those who gives more transparency to the composite films
Dear Mohammed,
I am not sure that I have well followed all your comments connected to the effects of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), thus I will try only to concern only some general aspects linked to your question, mostly based on my experience by working with PLA nanocomposites:
a) Indeed, PLA is a bio-polyester a lot considered for packaging (production of films), characterized by a very good transmittance of UV and visible light.
b) Utilization of PLA grades which are mainly amorphous (due to an increased content of isomer D) is traditionally preferred where a high transparency/ visible light transmission is required.
c) Nanofillers: use NPs of low dimension, specifically surface treated, to obtain an excellent distribution & dispersion within PLA matrix. Some NPs are credited as being well transparent in visible light.
d) PLA nanocomposite films: for maximum light transmission, please take in consideration that traditionally is better to produce films of lower thickness. In many cases, the increasing of loading of NPs will lead to the decrease of transmitted light/transparency, I will not comment here the different reasons.
e) Based on my practical experience, it is not very easy to obtain “transparent” PLA nanocomposites, thus it is needed to follow some more cited/feasible results connected to this subject reported in the literature !
f) This paper can be of interest:
N. Nakayama, T. Hayashi / Polymer Degradation and Stability 92 (2007)
Preparation and characterization of poly(L-lactic acid)/TiO2 nanoparticle nanocomposite films with high transparency and efficient photodegradability
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.03.026
Good luck in your R&D work and best regards,
Marius
Dear Mohammed,
For eventual help some information connected to the subject of your question !
Best regards,
Marius
Julien Loste et al., Transparent polymer nanocomposites: An overview on their synthesis and advanced properties, November 2018, Progress in Polymer Science 89, DOI: 10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2018.10.003
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328677764_Transparent_polymer_nanocomposites_An_overview_on_their_synthesis_and_advanced_properties
Lin, Y et al., Transparent semi‐crystalline polymeric materials and their nanocomposites: A review. Polym Eng Sci. 2020; 60: 2351– 2376. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.25489
N. Nakayama, T. Hayashi / Polymer Degradation and Stability 92 (2007)
Preparation and characterization of poly(L-lactic acid)/TiO2 nanoparticle nanocomposite films with high transparency and efficient photodegradability, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.03.026
The role of nanoparticles in visible transparent nanocomposites - art. no. 70300F, August 2008, Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering 7030, DOI: 10.1117/12.795273
Dear Doctor
Go To
Biopolymers – Application in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
- March 2016
- DOI: 10.5772/62225
- In book: Recent Advances in Biopolymers
- Sneha Mohan Bhagyaraj
- Oluwatobi S. Oluwafemi
- Nandakumar Kalarikkal
- Sabu Thomas
- Sandile Songca
"Abstract
Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA, Poly) is a biodegradable thermoplastic aliphatic polyester derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, tapioca roots, chips, starch, or sugarcane. PLA is obtainable primarily by the ionic polymerization of lactide, a ring closure of two lactic acid molecules. At temperatures between 140 and 180 °C and under the action of catalytic tin compounds (such as tin oxide), a ring-opening polymerization takes place. Lactide itself can be made through lactic acid fermentation from renewable resources such as starch by means of various bacteria. PLA can also be produced directly from lactic acid by polycondensation. However, this process yields low molecular weight polymers, and the disposal of the solvent is a problem in the industrial production. The properties of PLA primarily depend on the molecular mass, the degree of crystallinity, and possibly the proportion of co-monomers. A higher molecular mass raises Tg, as well as Tm, tensile strength, elastic modulus, and lowers the strain after fracture. Due to the CH3 side group, the material has water-repellent or hydrophobic behavior. PLA is soluble in many organic solvents, such as dichloromethane or the like. PLA has higher transparency than other biodegradable polymers, and is superior in weather resistance and workability."
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