UV resistance and water barrier properties of PP/PLA/MAH/TiO2 functional hybrid biocomposite films for packaging application. Issue 8 (2nd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jiang, Qian; Pei, Xin; Wu, Liwei; Li, Ting‐Ting; Lin, Jia‐Horng
• Is Part Of: Advances in polymer technology. Volume 37:Issue 8(2018)
• Page Start: 2971
• Page End: 2980
• Publication Date: 2018-04-02
• Subjects: hybrid biocomposite -- melt‐blending process -- nano‐TiO2 -- UV resistance -- water barrier property; Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/adv.21968
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-6679

Abstract

Abstract: Synthetic polymers have been commonly used in the packaging engineering field due to the excellent properties. However, they also generate non‐biodegradable waste which causes environmental pollutions. Therefore, a new material is expected to accelerate the degradation of packaging materials, making them naturally degraded and keeping the excellent properties meanwhile. One solution to address this problem is using hybrid biocomposites that are made of traditional polymer matrices, biodegradable polymers, and nanofiller using a melt‐blending process. Polylactic acid is added for dispersion phase and polypropylene is used as a matrix, during which maleic anhydride is used as a compatibilizer and nano‐TiO2 is added as fillers. The melt‐blending process is used to make the materials into biodegradable composite films with functions in terms of UV resistance and water barrier properties. The composite films are tested for different properties in order to obtain the optimal amount of nano‐TiO2 . The test results show that comparing to the control group that contains 0 wt% nano‐TiO2, adding 1 wt% nano‐TiO2 improves the tensile strength and elastic modulus of the functional hybrid biocomposite films by 22% and 31%, respectively. The thermal resistance of hybrid biocomposite films is superior under 400°C. In addition, the functional hybrid biocomposite films have a UV transmittance that is less than 1%. After exposure to the medium waves (UVB) for 144 hr, the functional hybrid biocomposite films have tensile strength retention of 84.61%. The water contact angle of hybrid biocomposite films with 1 wt% nano‐TiO2 is 112.7°, showing good water barrier property.