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ABSTRACT
Innovative melt processing technology is necessary for the production of biodegradable polylactide/graphene nanocomposites. In this paper, we present the aqueous spray coating method to prepare graphene-coated polylactide granules for improving the distribution of small graphene contents in polymer matrix during the melt mixing process. Three types of functionalized graphene nanosheets, including graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and poly(ethylene glycol)/RGO (PEG/RGO), were investigated in the formations of graphene coatings on polylactide granules and subsequent melt-processed nanocomposites. It is found that RGO nanosheets have good interfacial compatibility to form better coatings on polylactide granules. Melt processing of graphene-coated granules produced polylactide/graphene nanocomposites with higher mechanical strengths. Nanocomposite materials containing 0.1% RGO showed the best improvements of mechanical and thermal properties. As-prepared nanomaterials and nanocomposites were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), tensile, flexural and impact measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and integrated thermogravimetric analysis (TGA-DTA). In general, the innovative strategy of aqueous spray coating and melt processing is applicable for manufacturing biodegradable PLA/graphene nanocomposites in the sustainable trend of environmentally friendly development.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the collaboration of Fundamental Materials Science Laboratory, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City and VKTech Research Center, NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University. This research is funded by Vietnam National Foundation for Science and Technology Development (NAFOSTED) under the grant number 05/2019/TN.
Disclosure statement
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial conflict of interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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Notes on contributors
Hon Nhien Le
Hon Nhien Le is a professional researcher at Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, VNU-HCM. He obtained the excellent degree of bachelor of chemical engineering from Can Tho University (Vietnam), graduated with the excellent master of science in chemistry from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and conducted professional research and development in academic and industrial organizations.
Huu Doanh Nguyen
Huu Doanh Nguyen received the bachelor of science degree in materials science from University of Science, VNU-HCM.
Minh Hieu Do
Minh Hieu Do is a research and development staff at BUYO Bioplastics Company that provides biodegradable bioplastic products. He is a university graduate of materials science from University of Science, VNU-HCM.
Thi Minh Hanh Nguyen
Thi Minh Hanh Nguyen graduated with the bachelor of science degree in chemistry from University of Science, VNU-HCM. Thi Minh Hanh Nguyen graduated with the bachelor of chemistry from University of Science, VNU-HCM.
Trung Do Nguyen
Trung Do Nguyen is a researcher at Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, VNU-HCM. He obtained the master of science degree in physics from University of Science, VNU-HCM.
Thi Bang Tam Dao
Thi Bang Tam Dao is a researcher at Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, VNU-HCM. She graduated with the master of science degree in physics from University of Science, VNU-HCM.
Duc Anh Dinh
Duc Anh Dinh achieved his PhD degree in the field of Chemistry of Materials at Italian Institute of Technolony and Genova university, Italy in 2018. Currently, he is a researcher, working at Nguyen Tat Thanh hi-tech instutute, Nguyen Tat Thanh university Vietnam. His research interest is focusing in two fields : (1) production and processing of graphene and related two dimensional materials for energy storage, sensors and electronic devices; (2) synthesis and charaterization of biodegrade polymers.
Chi Nhan Ha Thuc
Chi Nhan Ha Thuc is an associate professor and senior lecturer at Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, VNU-HCM. He obtained the master of science degree from Université du Maine and the doctor of philosophy degree from Université Savoie Mont Blanc.