PLA nanocomposites films: Physicochemical, morphological and mechanical properties

Objective(s): Presently, application of eco-friendly materials like poly lactic acid (PLA)is increasing, to reduce environmental pollutions is formed because of high number ofplastic wastes. In this way, a very valuable biodegradable film can be fabricated whichis useful parameters such as favorable physicochemical, morphological and mechanicalproperties. Then, the effect of zinc and silicon dioxide 1%, 3% and 5% nanoparticles onthe mentioned parameters as well as interaction (FTIR) of PLA film was studied.Materials and methods: Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used, to considermorphological structure of nanocomposites. Mechanical characteristics of films,measurement of tensile strength, elongation at break point and Yong modulus also wereconsidered by using tensile device and ASTM D 882. The FT-IR spectrum of films withPERKIN ELMER 1650, FT-IR spectrophotometer was recorded. Results:Morphological evaluation of PLA composite strings has desirable and steadydistribution of nanoparticles for the sample with 1 percent weight of zinc and silica oxidevolume and by increasing nanoparticle contents from 1 to 5 percent, nano-materialesstart to form mass. The tensile strength values of zinc oxide nanocomposites weresignificantly (p <0.05) less than the control film and elongation at break was nostatistically significant. The of average of tensile resistance, elongation at break pointand Young modulus in pure PLA film with PLA film including nano-SiO2 showsinsignificance (P> 0.05). FTIR shows proper distribution of both nano dioxide in filmcomposites and connection is created and doesn’t have difference with pure PLA.General conclusion: Performed considerations show that both nano-PLA films haveproper potential for application in packaging mechanically.