Toxicity Evaluation of Graphene and Poly(Lactic-Acid) Using a Nematode Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 290 ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Cin Kong ◽  
Azzahraa Izzati Aziz ◽  
Akesh Babu Kakarla ◽  
Ing Kong ◽  
Wei Kong
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Pumping Rate ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Significant Difference

Graphene has gained tremendous attention due to its unlimited potential in various applications while poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester produced from fermenting corn starch. The incorporation of graphene into PLA has been proven to exhibit excellent mechanical and thermal properties. However, there are not many reports on the potential toxic effect of these materials towards living organisms. In this study, we investigated the possible toxicity of graphene and PLA-graphene in a live animal model, the nematode Caenorhabdits elegans (C. elegans). Alive adult worms were exposed directly to graphene and PLA-graphene across a range of concentrations from 50 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL. After certain hours of exposure, the pharyngeal pumping rate (indicative of the C. elegans feeding activity), reproductive rate and lifespan of the worms were determined and compared to the untreated worm population. At all concentrations tested, both graphene and PLA-graphene do not affect the feeding rate of the nematode. Additionally, there was no significant difference between the lifespan of worms exposed to graphene and PLA-graphene as compared to the untreated control population (p>0.05). We examined the effect of graphene on nematode’s ability to reproduce and no reduction in progenies was detected (p>0.05). Taken together, our findings suggest that graphene and PLA-graphene do not possess a negative effect on the feeding activity, reproduction and overall lifespan of the host, indicating that these materials are safe to living organism at concentration up to 1000 µg/mL.

Influence of extrusion screw speed on the properties of halloysite nanotube impregnated polylactic acid nanocomposites

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chaitra Venkatesh ◽  
Yuanyuan Chen ◽  
Zhi Cao ◽  
Shane Brennan ◽  
Ian Major ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Polymer Melt ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Screw Speed ◽  
Halloysite Nanotube ◽  
The Past

Abstract Poly (lactic acid)/halloysite nanotube (PLA/HNT) nanocomposites have been studied extensively over the past few years owing to the interesting properties of the polymer, PLA, and the nanoclay, HNT, individually and as composites. In this paper, the influence of the screw speed during extrusion was investigated and was found to have a significant impact on the mechanical and thermal performance of the extruded PLA/HNT nanocomposites. To determine the effect of screw speed on PLA/HNT nanocomposites, 5 and 10 wt% of HNTs were blended into the PLA matrix through compounding at screw speeds of 40, 80, and 140 rpm. Virgin PLA was compounded for comparison. The resultant polymer melt was quench cooled onto a calendar system to produce composite films which were assessed for mechanical, thermal, chemical, and surface properties. Results illustrate that in comparison to 40 and 80 rpm, the virgin PLA when compounded at 140 rpm, indicated a significant increase in the mechanical properties. The PLA/HNT 5 wt% nanocomposite compounded at 140 rpm showed significant improvement in the dispersion of HNTs in the PLA matrix which in turn enhanced the mechanical and thermal properties. This can be attributed to the increased melt shear at higher screw speeds.

Preparation and Characterization of Micro-Graphite Filled Poly(Lactic Acid) Composites: Part 1 - Rheological and Thermal Properties

2020 ◽  
Vol 981 ◽  
pp. 138-143
Author(s):  
Esa N. Shohih ◽  
Mujtahid Kaavessina ◽  
Henry A. S. Lomi ◽  
Betha P. Pratiwi ◽  
Sperisa Distantina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Conductive Polymer ◽  
Complex Viscosity ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Blending Method ◽  
Stirring Time

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have attracted great attention of researchers due to their enhanced properties such as an adjustable electrical conductivity, good processability, good mechanical and thermal properties, etc. CPCs had many potencies for wider application in electronic devices. Poly (lactic acid) or PLA is one of the interesting polymers used in the developing of these new important materials. PLA properties are comparable to the synthetic petroleum-based polymers such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), etc. This research focuses on studying the rheological and thermal properties of PLA/micro-graphite as a conductive polymer composite which adjustable its electrical conductivity. In this study, the PLA/micro-graphite was prepared through solvent blending method using chloroform. The micro-graphite composition was varied from 0%, 5%, and 10 % (w/w) with different stirring time (30 and 60 minutes) and then, poured in glass mould. In the melt rheology study, the frequency sweep test showed that the complex viscosity (|η*|) of the bio-composite increased with the micro-graphite loading. The same tendency was also found in thermal property and stability. The melting temperature and thermal degradation were slightly increasing. The crystallinity of PLA was influenced by the presence of micro-graphite. In this solvent blending method, the homogeneous distribution of micro-graphite in the bio-composite required at least 60 minutes (stirred at 650 rpm and 60 °C).

scholarly journals Effect of Selected Commercial Plasticizers on Mechanical, Thermal, and Morphological Properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid)/Plasticizer Biodegradable Blends for Three-Dimensional (3D) Print

Materials ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1893 ◽  
Author(s):  
Přemysl Menčík ◽  
Radek Přikryl ◽  
Ivana Stehnová ◽  
Veronika Melčová ◽  
Soňa Kontárová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry ◽  
3D Print ◽  
3D Printed ◽  
Biodegradable Blends

This paper explores the influence of selected commercial plasticizers structure, which are based on esters of citric acid, on mechanical and thermal properties of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid)/Plasticizer biodegradable blends. These plasticizers were first tested with respect to their miscibility with Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Poly(lactic acid) (PHB/PLA) blends using a kneading machine. PHB/PLA/plasticizer blends in the weight ratio (wt %) of 60/25/15 were then prepared by single screw and corotating meshing twin screw extruders in the form of filament for further three-dimensional (3D) printing. Mechanical, thermal properties, and shape stability (warping effect) of 3D printed products can be improved just by the addition of appropriate plasticizer to polymeric blend. The goal was to create new types of eco-friendly PHB/PLA/plasticizers blends and to highly improve the poor mechanical properties of neat PHB/PLA blends (with majority of PHB) by adding appropriate plasticizer. Mechanical properties of plasticized blends were then determined by the tensile test of 3D printed test samples (dogbones), as well as filaments. Measured elongation at break rapidly enhanced from 21% for neat non-plasticized PHB/PLA blends (reference) to 328% for best plasticized blends in the form of filament, and from 5% (reference) to 187% for plasticized blends in the form of printed dogbones. The plasticizing effect on blends was confirmed by Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The study of morphology was performed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy. Significant problem of plasticized blends used to be also plasticizer migration, therefore the diffusion of plasticizers from the blends after 15 days of exposition to 110 °C in the drying oven was investigated as their measured weight loss. Almost all of the used plasticizers showed meaningful positive softening effects, but the diffusion of plasticizers at 110 °C exposition was quite extensive. The determination of the degree of disintegration of selected plasticized blend when exposed to a laboratory-scale composting environment was executed to roughly check the “biodegradability”.

Morphology, Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Propylene-Ethylene Copolymer/Cellulose Composites

2019 ◽  
Vol 972 ◽  
pp. 172-177
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Patteera Opasakornwong ◽  
Ratchadakorn Poohoi ◽  
Manop Phankokkruad
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Thermal Properties ◽  
Tensile Stress ◽  
Cellulose Fibers ◽  
Phase Morphology ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Ethylene Copolymer ◽  
Thermal Stability Of

This work studied the effects of various types of cellulose fibers on the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/propylene-ethylene copolymer (PEC) (90/10 w/w) blends. The PLA/PEC blends before and after adding cellulose fibers were prepared by melt blending method in the internal mixer and molded by compression method. The morphological analysis observed that the presence of cellulose in PLA did not change the phase morphology of PLA, and PLA/cellulose composite surfaces were observed the cellulose fibers inserted in PLA matrix and fiber pull-out. The phase morphology of PLA/PEC blends was changed from brittle fracture to ductile fracture behavior and showed the phase separation between PLA and PEC phases. The presence of celluloses did not improve the compatibility between PLA and PEC phases. The tensile stress and strain curves found that the tensile stress of PLA was the highest value. The addition of all celluloses increased Young’s modulus of PLA. The PEC presence increased the tensile strain of PLA over two times when compared with neat PLA and PLA was toughened by PEC. The incorporation of cellulose fibers in PLA/PEC blends could improve Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and stress at break of the blends. The thermal stability showed that the degradation temperatures of all types of cellulose were less than the degradation temperatures of PLA. Thus, the incorporation of cellulose in PLA could not enhance the thermal stability of PLA composites and PLA/PEC composites. The degradation temperature of PEC was the highest value, but it could not improve the thermal stability of PLA. The incorporation of cellulose fibers had no effect on the melting temperature of the PLA blend and composites.

Effect of cellulose nanofibers from cassava pulp on physical properties of poly(lactic acid) biocomposites

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 1094-1108
Author(s):  
Thanh Chi Nguyen ◽  
Chaiwat Ruksakulpiwat ◽  
Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibers ◽  
Degree Of Crystallinity ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Cassava Pulp ◽  
Lower Temperature ◽  
Alkali Hydrolysis ◽  
Internal Mixer

Biocomposites of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) extracted from cassava pulp were successfully prepared by melt mixing in an internal mixer. CNFs were prepared from cassava pulp by submitting to alkali hydrolysis, bleaching treatment, and acid hydrolysis. The compatibility between CNFs and PLA matrix was improved using glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) grafted PLA (PLA-g-GMA) as an effective compatibilizer. Higher elongation at break and impact strength of PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites was achieved compared to that of neat PLA. PLA-g-GMA shows a strong effect on the crystallization behavior of the biocomposites. The PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites induce cold crystallization to take place at lower temperature. Higher degree of crystallinity of PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites was obtained compared to PLA/CNFs biocomposites. The mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/CNFs biocomposites at various ratios were investigated. With increasing CNFs contents, the modulus of the biocomposites increases. Thermal stability of PLA/CNFs and PLA/PLA-g-GMA/CNFs biocomposites did not change significantly compared to that of neat PLA.

Preparation and performance evaluation of biodegradable corn starch film using poly (lactic acid) as waterproof coating

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 665-670
Author(s):  
Qinglu Chang ◽  
Yanling Hao ◽  
Long Cheng ◽  
Yihao Liu ◽  
Aoyun Qu
Keyword(s):  
Performance Evaluation ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
And Performance

Influence of temperature dependence on the structural characteristics of polyoxymethylene/poly(lactic acid) blends by injection molding

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (10) ◽  
pp. 944-953
Author(s):  
Jitlada Boonlertsamut ◽  
Suchalinee Mathurosemontri ◽  
Supaphorn Thumsorn ◽  
Toshikazu Umemura ◽  
Atsushi Sakuma
Keyword(s):  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Injection Molding ◽  
Crystal Size ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Growth Direction ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Injection Molding Process ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Molding Process ◽  
Microscopy Images

Abstract In this research, different strategies to modify the structure of polymer blends were investigated with the objective of adjusting the composition of polyoxymethylene (POM) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) under typical processing conditions. POM shows a good balance of mechanical and thermal properties. However, this polymer is obtained from petrochemical sources, and in some markets, environmentally friendly materials are important. Blending POM with PLA preserves the advantages of POM while ensuring the bio-based content of PLA. POM/PLA blends were prepared by an injection molding process with various injection speeds of 10, 50, 100, and 1000 mm/s to ensure high ductility. Mechanical property analysis showed that the PLA content and processing temperatures are highly effective in modifying the stiffness of POM/PLA blends. The effect of crystallization on POM/PLA blends was assessed by varying the annealing time. High-magnification scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the gaps between fibrillar regions represent the growth direction of the PLA phase before it was removed. This was evidence for the effect of PLA on the crystallization of POM. The crystal size and crystalline volume also affected the structural characteristics of POM/PLA blends.

Morphology and Properties of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Ethylene-Octene Copolymer Blends with Different Organoclay Types

2020 ◽  
Vol 837 ◽  
pp. 174-180
Author(s):  
Sirirat Wacharawichanant ◽  
Attachai Sriwattana ◽  
Kulaya Yaisoon ◽  
Manop Phankokkruad
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Stability ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Poly Lactic Acid ◽  
Mechanical And Thermal Properties ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Copolymer Blends ◽  
Ethylene Octene Copolymer ◽  
Surface Modified ◽  
Thermal Stability Of ◽  
Observation Results

This work studied the morphology, mechanical and thermal properties of poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/ethylene-octene copolymer (EOC) (80/20) blends with different organoclay types. Herein, EOC was introduced to toughening PLA by melt blending and organoclay was used to improve compatibility and tensile properties of the blends. The two organoclay types were nanoclay surface modified with aminopropyltriethoxysilane 0.5-5 wt% and octadecylamine 15-35% (Clay-ASO) and nanoclay surface modified with dimethyl dialkyl (C14-C18) amine 35-45 wt% (Clay-DDA). The organoclay contents were 3, 5 and 7 phr. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation results revealed PLA/EOC blends demonstrated a two-phase separation of dispersed EOC phase and PLA matrix phase. The addition of organoclay significantly improved the compatibility between PLA and EOC phases due to EOC droplet size decreased dominantly in PLA matrix, so organoclay could act as an effective compatibilizer. The incorporation of organoclay increased significantly tensile strength of PLA/EOC/organoclay composites while Young’s modulus increased with 5 phr of organoclay. The thermal stability of PLA/EOC blends did not change when compared with neat PLA, and when added Clay-ASO in the blends could improve the thermal stability of the PLA/EOC blends.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document