PLA intelligent packaging using MWCNT and DO3 dye

LAURA RIBBA; LUCIA FAMA; IÑAKI MONDRAGON; SILVIA GOYANES

Conferencia; 3rd International Conference on Biodegradable and Biobased Polymers (BIOPOL-2011); 2011

PLA based nanocomposites were successfully processed, using Disperse Orange 3 (DO3) to debundle MWCNT making stable dispersions. An adequate dispersion of MWCNT was confirmed by SEM. Electrical conductivity was measured, showing that the material with 0.3 wt % MWCNT had a conductivity of 1.6x10-1 S·m-1. The addition of DO3 increased the wear resistance of the material. With 0.1 wt % MWCNT, the wear resistance of the material increased even more and for a concentration of 0.3 wt % the wear resistance increased by 50% compared to the matrix. DMTA studies revealed that for the lowest concentration of MWCNT, the Tg of the material decreased by 9 ºC, but for higher concentrations the Tg was very similar to the Tg of PLA films. These effects in the transition temperature can be explained in terms of interactions between the DO3 amino and the PLA ester group. The reinforced films showed, with respect to the PLA matrix, stress and strain to break increased. DRX patterns showed that the presence of DO3 affected the way PLA chains arranged in the material, therefore confirming the interactions between them.