Polylactide (PLA) is the most extensively reviewed and utilized biodegradable and renewable thermoplastic polyester, with potential to replace conventional petroleum-based polymeric materials. To improve the toughness of PLA, castor oil-based polyurethane prepolymer (COPUP) toughened PLA nanocomposites were prepared via the melt mixing process and investigated for its mechanical, thermal and morphological properties. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the formation of polymer blend nanocomposites. Mechanical tests revealed optimum performance characteristics at PLA/COPUP ratio of 70:30. Further, loading of the organoclay showed higher tensile strength and modulus of the blend nanocomposites as compared to optimized blend. The morphological results indicated that the surface roughness increases as a function of the organoclay incorporation. Thermogravimetric measurements reveal that the thermal stability of the blend increases with the incorporation of organoclay. The improved mechanical properties along with its biodegradability might lead to new industrial and biomedical applications.
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Sanjay K. Nayak (2016) studied this question.
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