Skip to main content
Log in

Graphene nanoplatelets dispersion in poly(l-lactic acid): preparation method and its influence on electrical, crystallinity and thermomechanical properties

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Iranian Polymer Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) nanocomposites were prepared through solvent casting and coagulation methods. The better dispersion of graphene was achieved by ultrasounds and its effect on crystallinity, thermomechanical and electrical properties of PLLA were studied and compared in both methods. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate the crystallinity of PLLA and its composites. Field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) were employed to characterize the microstructure of PLLA crystallites. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) was performed to study the thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposites. FEG-SEM images illustrated finer dispersion of GnP in samples obtained by coagulation method with respect to solvent casting method. Graphene imparted higher electrical conductivity to nanocomposites obtained by solvent casting under ultrasound due to better formation of graphene network. DSC thermograms and their resulting data showed positive effects of GnP on crystallization kinetics of PLLA in both methods enhanced by the nucleating effect of graphene particles. Meanwhile, the effect of GnP, as nucleating agent, was more prominent in samples produced by coagulation method without utilization of ultrasounds. WAXS patterns represented the same characteristic peaks of PLLA in nanocomposite specimens suggesting similar crystalline structure of PLLA in presence of graphene, and the intensified peaks of nanocomposites compared to neat PLLA confirmed the DSC results regarding its improved crystallinity. Graphene increased storage modulus in rubbery region and glass transition temperature of nanocomposites in the coagulation method due to restricted mobility of PLLA chains.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Scheme 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Kim H, Abdala AA, Macosko CW (2010) Graphene/polymer nanocomposites. Macromolecules 43:6515–6530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Georgakilas V, Otyepka M, Bourlinos AB, Chandra V, Kim N, Kemp KC, Hobza P, Zboril R, Kim KS (2012) Functionalization of graphene: covalent and non-covalent approaches, derivatives and applications. Chem Rev 112:6156–6214

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Tang Z, Kang H, Wei Q, Guo B, Zhang L, Jia D (2013) Incorporation of graphene into polyester/carbon nanofibers composites for better multi-stimuli responsive shape memory performances. Carbon 64:487–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wang H, Qiu Z (2011) Crystallization behaviors of biodegradable poly(l-lactic acid)/graphene oxide nanocomposites from the amorphous state. Thermochim Acta 526:229–236

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Pan P, Zhu B, Kai W, Dong T, Inoue Y (2008) Polymorphic transition in disordered poly(l-lactide) crystals induced by annealing at elevated temperatures. Macromolecules 41:4296–4304

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Norazlina H, Kamal Y (2015) Graphene modifications in polylactic acid nanocomposites: a review. Polym Bull 72:931–961

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lim L-T, Auras R, Rubino M (2008) Processing technologies for poly(lactic acid). Prog Polym Sci 33:820–852

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Lasprilla AJR, Martinez GAR, Lunelli BH, Jardini AL, Filho RM (2012) Poly-lactic acid synthesis for application in biomedical devices: a review. Biotechnol Adv 30:321–328

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen J, Zhang ZX, Huang WB, Li JI, Yang JH, Wang Y, Zhou ZW, Zhang JH (2015) Carbon nanotube network structure induced strain sensitivity and shape memory behavior changes of thermoplastic polyurethane. Mater Des 69:105–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Cao Y, Feng J, Wu P (2010) Preparation of organically dispersible graphene nanosheet powders through a lyophilization method and their poly(lactic acid) composites. Carbon 48:3834–3839

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Murariu M, Dechief AL, Bonnaud L, Paint Y, Gallos A, Fontaine G, Bourbigot S, Dubois P (2010) The production and properties of polylactide composites filled with expanded graphite. Polym Degrad Stab 95:889–900

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sabzi M, Jiang L, Liu F, Ghasemi I, Atai M (2013) Graphene nanoplatelets as polylactic acid modifier: linear rheological behavior and electrical conductivity. J Mater Chem A 1:8253–8261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Pinto AM, Moreira S, Gonçalves IC, Gama FM, Mendes AM, Magalhaes FD (2013) Biocompatibility of poly(lactic acid) with incorporated graphene-based materials. Colloid Surf B 104:229–238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Manafi P, Ghasemi I, Karrabi M, Azizi H (2014) Effect of graphene nanoplatelets on crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid) effect of graphene nanoplatelets on crystallization kinetics of poly(lactic acid). Soft Mater 12:433–444

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Manafi P, Ghasemi I, Karrabi M, Azizi H, Manafi MR, Ehsaninamin P (2015) Thermal stability and thermal degradation kinetics (model-free kinetics) of nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid)/graphene: the influence of functionalization. Polym Bull 72:1095–1112

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Hielscher T (2005) Ultrasonic production of nano-size dispersions and emulsions. In: 1st work, Nano Technology Transfer ENS Paris

  17. Garlotta D (2002) A literature review of poly(lactic acid). J Polym Environ 9:63–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Tkalya EE, Ghislandi M, de With G, Koning CE (2012) The use of surfactants for dispersing carbon nanotubes and graphene to make conductive nanocomposites. Curr Opin Colloid Interf Sci 17:225–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Chen Y, Yao X, Pan Z, Gu Q (2011) Preparation and isothermal crystallization behavior of poly(lactic acid)/graphene nanocomposites. Adv Mater Res 284–286:246–252

    Google Scholar 

  20. Nabipour Chakoli A, Sui J, Amirian M, Cai W (2011) Crystallinity of biodegradable polymers reinforced with functionalized carbon nanotubes. J Polym Res 18:1249–1259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Huang H-D, Ren P-G, Xu J-Z, Xu L, Zhong GJ, Hsiao BS, Li ZM (2014) Improved barrier properties of poly(lactic acid) with randomly dispersed graphene oxide nanosheets. J Membr Sci 464:110–118

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Xiao H, Yang L, Ren X, Jiang T, Yeh JT (2010) Kinetics and crystal structure of poly(lactic acid) crystallized nonisothermally: effect of plasticizer and nucleating agent. Polym Compos 31:2057–2068

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Yan B, Gu S, Zhang Y (2013) Polylactide-based thermoplastic shape memory polymer nanocomposites. Eur Polym J 49:366–378

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mavinakuli P, Wei S, Wang Q, Karki AB, Dhage S, Wang Z, Young DP, Guo Z (2010) Polypyrrole/silicon carbide nanocomposites with tunable electrical conductivity. J Phys Chem C 114:3874–3882

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Xu J, Shi W, Pang W (2006) Synthesis and shape memory effects of Si–O–Si cross-linked hybrid polyurethanes. Polymer 47:457–465

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wunderlich B (2005) Basics of thermal analysis. Thermal analysis of polymeric materials. Springer, Berlin

    Google Scholar 

  27. Landel RF, Nielsen LE (1993) Mechanical properties of polymers and composites, 2nd edn. Taylor & Francis, New York

    Google Scholar 

  28. Huang X, Jiang P, Kim C, Ke Q, Wang G (2008) Preparation, microstructure and properties of polyethylene aluminum nanocomposite dielectrics. Compos Sci Technol 68:2134–2140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Prof. Roberto Giovanardi for his help on electrical conductivity measurements and Dr. Mauro Zapparoli (for FEG-SEM images) and Dr. Massimo Tonelli (for WAXD analysis) in the CIGS center of University of Modena and Reggio Emillia.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Karrabi.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lashgari, S., Karrabi, M., Ghasemi, I. et al. Graphene nanoplatelets dispersion in poly(l-lactic acid): preparation method and its influence on electrical, crystallinity and thermomechanical properties. Iran Polym J 25, 193–202 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-015-0413-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-015-0413-5

Keywords

Navigation