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Thermal Stability and Decomposition Mechanism of PLA Nanocomposites with Kraft Lignin and Tannin

Packaging applications cover approximately 40% of the total plastics production, whereas food packaging possesses a high proportion within this context. Due to several environmental concerns, petroleum-based polymers have been shifted to their biobased counterparts. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been proved the most dynamic biobased candidate as a substitute of the conventional polymers. Despite its numerous merits, PLA exhibits some limitations, and thus reinforcing agents are commonly investigated as fillers to ameliorate several characteristics. In the present study, two series of PLA-based nanocomposites filled with biobased kraft-lignin (KL) and tannin (T) in different contents were prepared. A melt–extrusion method was pursued for nanocomposites preparation. The thermal stability of the prepared nanocomposites was examined by Thermogravimetric Analysis, while thermal degradation kinetics was applied to deepen this process. Pyrolysis–Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry was employed to provide more details of the degradation process of PLA filled with the two polyphenolic fillers. It was found that the PLA/lignin nanocomposites show better thermostability than neat PLA, while tannin filler has a small catalytic effect that can reduce the thermal stability of PLA. The calculated E? value of PLA-T nanocomposite was lower than that of PLA-KL resulting in a substantially higher decomposition rate constant, which accelerate the thermal degradation.

Publication date: 22/08/2021

Author: Nina Maria Ainali

Reference: doi: 10.3390/polym13162818

MDPI (polymers)



      

This project has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837761.