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AuthorAntunes, A.
AuthorPopelka, A.
AuthorAljarod, O.
AuthorHassan, M. K.
AuthorLuyt, A.S.
Available date2022-04-17T09:47:34Z
Publication Date2020
Publication NamePolymers
ResourceScopus
Identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.3390/POLYM12051096
URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10576/29903
AbstractThe effect of accelerated weathering on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and a PLA nanocomposite with rutile titanium (IV) dioxide (rutile-TiO2) was investigated. The accelerated weathering test applied consecutive steps of ultraviolet (UV) (at 340 nm and 0.76Wm-2 irradiance) and moisture at 50 C for 2000 h, following the ASTM D4329 standard. The morphology, chemical structure, molecular weight, crystallization, as well as mechanical and thermal properties were thoroughly studied. Samples were characterized after 500 h, 1000 h and 2000 h exposure. Different degradation mechanisms were proposed to happen during the weathering exposure and confirmed based on the experimental data. The PLA and PLA/TiO2 surfaces presented holes and increasing roughness over the exposure time. The molecular weight of the weathered samples decreased due to chain scission during the degradation processes. Thermal stability decreased in the presence of TiO2 and a double melting peak was observed for the PLA/TiO2 nanocomposite. A general improvement in the mechanical properties of the PLA/TiO2 nanocomposite was observed over time during the accelerated weathering analysis up to 1000 h of exposure time. After 2000 h of weathering exposure, the PLA and PLA/TiO2 became extremely brittle and lost their ductile properties. This was ascribed to a significant increase in the degree of crystallinity upon weathering, which was accelerated in the presence of TiO2. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) using amplitude modulation-frequency modulation (AM-FM) tool confirmed the mechanical changes in the surface area of the PLA samples after accelerated weathering exposure. The stiffness and Young's modulus achieved higher values than the unweathered ones up to 1000 h of exposure time. The changes in the physical and chemical properties of PLA/TiO2 over the ageing time confirm the photocatalytic activity of rutile-TiO2.
SponsorThis research was funded through the Qatar University Collaborative Grant No. QUCG-CAM 19/20-3. The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. We thank Sergei Nazarenko, University of Southern Mississippi, United States and his group for their help to conduct the GPC analysis, with special thanks to Karina Reynolds for her efforts to run the samples. The authors would also like to thank the Qatar University Central Laboratories Unit (QUCLU) for their assistance with the SEM measurements of the samples.
Languageen
PublisherMDPI AG
SubjectAccelerated weathering degradation
Morphology and properties
Poly(lactic acid)
Rutile titanium (IV) dioxide
TitleEffects of rutile-TiO2 nanoparticles on accelerated weathering degradation of poly(Lactic Acid)
TypeArticle
Issue Number5
Volume Number12
dc.accessType Abstract Only


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