Study of thermomechanical and antibacterial properties of TiO2/Poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites. (2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Athanasoulia, Ioanna-Georgia; Mikropoulou, Maria; Karapati, Sofia; Tarantili, Petroula; Trapalis, Christos
• Is Part Of: Materials today. Volume 5:Number 14(2018)Part 1
• Page Start: 27553
• Page End: 27562
• Publication Date: 2018
• Subjects: Poly(lactic acid) -- Titania -- Nanocomposites -- X-ray diffraction -- Differentail scanning calorimetry -- Thermogravimetric analysis -- Tensile test -- Antibacterial properties; Materials science -- Congresses -- Periodicals; 620.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matpr.2018.09.075
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7853

Abstract

Abstract: This study deals with the influence of titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) nanoparticles' incorporation via extrusion melt blending on various characteristics and properties of a low crystallinity poly(L-lactic acid) matrix. DSC and XRD analyses revealed that at 5 and 10 wt%, titania impeded the formation of crystalline domains. At 20 wt% titania, a small amount of crystallinity was developed. Improvement of the thermal stability and stiffness of the polymer was confirmed by TGA and tensile testing experiments. The investigation of antibacterial activity showed that the 20/80 w/w TiO2 /PLLA nanocomposite presented the highest bactericidal efficiency in a UV-light and dark environment.