Effect of BaTiO3 on the aging process of PLA fibers obtained by centrifugal spinning. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boschetto, F.; Doan, H.N.; Vo, P.P.; Zanocco, M.; Zhu, W.; Sakai, W.; Kinashi, K.; Marin, E.; Pezzotti, G.
• Is Part Of: Materials today chemistry. Volume 20(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: Polylactic acid -- Barium titanate -- Composite fibers -- Crystallization -- UV/O3 treatment; Chemistry -- Periodicals; Materials -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Chemistry; Materials -- Research; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 660.282
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtchem.2021.100461
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-5194

Abstract

Abstract: This study focused on the fabrication of a composite of polylactic acid fibers reinforced with barium titanate (BT) and obtained by centrifugal spinning. Different concentrations of inorganic powder (5, 10, and 15 wt%) have been added to the polymeric solution and the samples have been studied to monitor any modification in chemical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties. Subsequently, samples have been subjected to UV/O3 irradiation at two different times (5 and 10 min) with the aim to verify the resistance to aging, which is considered a key factor for medical applications and outdoor. The presence of BT influenced strongly the structure of the fibers in many aspects. Samples with the lowest amount of BT showed a clear decrease of chemical and consequently of mechanical properties manifested with the breakage of the fibers subjected to treatment. The other composites apparently showed similar chemical properties comparing with the one without fillers but the mechanical properties clearly decreased. However, what emerged from the study is a clear stability during the aging tests promoted by the presence of BT. The samples with 10 and 15 wt% of BT presented chemical, thermal, and mechanical stabilities differently from the other samples. These results suggested that the fillers clearly modified the degree of crystallinity acting as nucleation agents and promoting the development of a stable crystalline phase during the treatment. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: An addition of barium titanate (BT) in polylactic acid (PLA) solutions led to changes of morphological and mechanical features of the fibers produced by centrifugal spinning. Tensile strength initially decreased with the presence of the filler because of an increase of stress concentration points. Applying UV/O3, PLA without BT underwent drastic morphological and chemical modifications. The increase of the concentration of fillers provided a higher stability overtime improving the degree of crystallinity. BT acted as a nucleation agent for crystalline phase formations and, at the same time, as a UV-shielding agent.