Effect of particle size and crystallinity of cellulose filler on the properties of poly(L-lactic acid): Mechanical property and thermal stability

Hikmatun Ni'Mah*, Eva Oktavia Ningrum, Sumarno, Dwila Nur Rizkiyah, I. G.A.Gede Chandra Divta, Meiliefiana, Mayang Ayudhawara Subaghio

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two types of cellulose materials were utilized as filler in biodegradable polymer poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) to obtain new biocomposite materials with better properties. The physical properties of those biocomposite materials which include transparency, mechanical property, and thermal stability were investigated by using visual observation, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. In this study, two different particle sizes and crystallinity of cellulose were used to show the effect of particle size and crystallinity of cellulose filler on the properties of PLLA. The cellulose materials used in this research include the following: microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from Avicel and cellulose fiber from rice straw biomass (CF-RS). The filler content in PLLA matrix was adjusted to be varied: 0 wt%, 2.5 wt%, 5 wt%, 7.5 wt%, and 10 wt%. The crystallinity of MCC and CF-RS measured by x-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the value of 70.25% and 34.9%, respectively. The transparency of PLLA/MCC and PLLA/CF-RS biocomposite films decrease with the increase in cellulose filler content. However, the transparency of PLLA/MCC biocomposite films is better than that of PLLA/CF-RS biocomposite films because the particle size of MCC filler is smaller than that of CF-RS filler so that the dispersion of the MCC filler in PLLA matrix is also better. The mechanical property in term of tensile strength of two types of biocomposite films decrease with the increasing of cellulose content. The decrease in tensile strength after the addition of cellulose filler is due to the agglomeration of the filler since the adhesion between filler and polymer matrix is weaker than that between each of the filler. Because the dispersion of filler MCC in the PLLA matrix is better than that of filler CF-RS in PLLA matrix, the decrease in tensile strength value of PLLA/MCC films is not significant compare to that of PLLA/CF-RS films. Moreover, the high crystallinity of MCC also has contribution to the strength of biocomposite films. The thermal stability of PLLA enhance after the addition of cellulose filler. The films with CF-RS component show moderate thermal stability compare to the films with MCC component. For highest filler content, the percent weight residue at 400 °C of PLLA/MCC (90/10) and PLLA/CF-RS (90/10) films are 4.35 % and 10.47 %, respectively.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInternational Seminar on Fundamental and Application of Chemical Engineering 2016, ISFAChE 2016
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of the 3rd International Seminar on Fundamental and Application of Chemical Engineering 2016
Editors Widiyastuti, Fadlilatul Taufany, Siti Nurkhamidah
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9780735415102
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 May 2017
Event3rd International Seminar on Fundamental and Application of Chemical Engineering 2016, ISFAChE 2016 - East Java, Indonesia
Duration: 1 Nov 20162 Nov 2016

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1840
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference3rd International Seminar on Fundamental and Application of Chemical Engineering 2016, ISFAChE 2016
Country/TerritoryIndonesia
CityEast Java
Period1/11/162/11/16

Keywords

  • biocomposite
  • cellulose fiber
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • poly(L-lactic acid)

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