Polylactic acid/halloysite nanocomposites films by solvent casting method

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an environmental friendly alternative for petrochemical-based plastics and it is extracted from a fermentation process of natural sugar feedstock such ascorn and sugar beet [1]. PLA is a suitable candidate for packaging because of its hydrophobicity and biodegradability [2 ]. However, its low mechanical properties, thermal stability, and gas barrier properties restrict its use in a wide range of potential packaging applications. Therefore, in recent years, much attention has been paid to enhance the characteristics of PLA by adding nano-fillers [1, 2]. In this study, halloysitenanotubes (HNTs) were used to prepare PLA/HNT nanocomposite films by using solution casting method byadding 2, 5, 10 and 15 w% HNTs. The properties of nanocomposite such as thermal analysis, chemical interaction and morphology were studied through tensile test, TGA, FTIRand SEM. TGA analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the nanocomposites increased with HNTs loading due topresence of HNTs lumen and barrier properties as leading factors. FTIR analysis studied the interaction between HNTs and PLA. SEM at 2 % HNTs revealed the presence of voidsand agglomeration at HNT-rich area which acted as stress concentration contributed to the initiation of fracture