TY  - EJOU
AU  - Nanthananon, Phornwalan 
AU  - Seadan, Manus 
AU  - Pivsa-Art, Sommai 
AU  - Hamada, Hiroyuki 
AU  - Suttiruengwong, Supakij 

TI  - Reactive Compatibilization of Short-Fiber Reinforced Poly(lactic acid) Biocomposites
T2  - Journal of Renewable Materials

PY  - 2018
VL  - 6
IS  - 6
SN  - 2164-6341

AB  - Poor interfacial adhesion between biobased thermoplastics and natural fibers is recognized as a major drawback for biocomposites. To be applicable for the large-scale production, a simple method to handle is of importance. This work presented poly(lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with short-fiber and three reactive agents including anhydride and epoxide groups were selected as compatibilizers. Biocomposites were prepared by one-step melt-mixing methods. The influence of reactive agents on mechanical, dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of PLA biocomposites were investigated. Tensile strength and storage modulus of PLA biocomposites incorporated with epoxide-based reactive agent was increased 13.9% and 37.4% compared to non-compatibilized PLA biocomposite, which was higher than adding anhydride-based reactive agent. SEM micrographs and Molau test exhibited an improvement of interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion in the PLA biocomposites incorporated with epoxide-based reactive agent. FTIR revealed the chemical reaction between the fiber and PLA with the presence of epoxide-based reactive agents.
KW  - Biocomposite
KW  -  poly(lactic acid)
KW  -  Reactive agent
KW  -  in situ compatibilization
KW  -  interfacial adhesion

DO  - 10.32604/JRM.2018.00129