Abstract. In this study, the effect of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the shape memory properties of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was studied. In addition to thermal activation, the possibility of infrared actuating of thermo-responsive shape memory PLLA/GNPs nanocomposite was investigated. The incorporated GNPs were expected to absorb infrared wave's energy and activate shape memory PLLA/GNPs. Different techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) were used to characterize samples. DSC and WAXD results indicated that GNPs augmented crystallinity due to nucleating effect of graphene particles. GNPs improved both thermal and infrared activating shape memory properties along with faster response. Pure shape memory PLLA was slightly responsive to infrared light and its infrared actuated shape recovery ratio was 86% which increased to more than 95% with loading of GNPs. Drastic improvement in the crystallinity was obtained in nanocomposites with lower GNPs contents (0.5 and 1 wt%) due to finer dispersion of graphene which resulted in more prominent mechanical and shape memory properties enhancement. Infrared activated shape memory PLLA/GNPs nanocomposites can be developed for wireless remote shape control of smart medical and bio-systems.

In the present article, three different types of coupling agents at various concentrations were used to prepare high-content polypropylene/bagasse composites (65—75 wt%). Maleated polypropylene (PP-g-MA), glycidyl methacrylate-grafted polypropylene (PP-g-GMA), and thermoplastic starch (TPS) were chosen as the coupling agent to generate these wood—plastic composites in a lab-scale counter rotating twin-screw extruder. The changes in the morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties were investigated. Morphological studies showed that the fiber dispersion, wetting, and interfacial tension were improved in the presence of PP-g-MA and PP-g-GMA. Flexural properties, impact resistance, and heat deflection temperature of samples increased with incorporation of PP-g-MA and PP-g-GMA. The Cox’s model used to predict the flexural modulus exhibited a good fitting with the experimental data. With increasing coupling agent content; the thermo-mechanical properties of the composites were improved. The compatibilizing effect of PP-g-MA and PP-g-GMA is more obvious than TPS.

Waste poly(ethylene terephthalate) (W‐PET)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) blends were prepared with a variety of compositions at several rotor speeds in an internal mixer, replacing ABS with different maleated ABS (ABS‐g‐MA) samples in compatibilized blends. A Box–Behnken model for three variables, with three levels, was chosen for the experimental design. ABS‐g‐MA‐based samples exhibited finer particles with a more uniform particle size distribution than ABS‐based ones, as a consequence of the compatibilizing process. Rheological results implied a greater elastic nature for compatibilized blends which increased in the presence of more ABS content; the same trend was observed for complex viscosity. With increasing ABS‐g‐MA or MA concentration, more shear thinning behavior was observed similar to that of ABS; whereas the uncompatibilized blends showed Newtonian behavior like that of W‐PET. The observed shifting in TgW‐PET and TgABS obtained from dynamic mechanical thermal analysis confirmed the good compatibility in W‐PET/ABS‐g‐MA blends in contrast with that in ordinary W‐PET/ABS blends. The mechanical properties were measured and modeled versus the various factors considered in a response surface methodology. The experimental data found a good fit with the obtained equation models. The mechanical properties of the compatibilized blends showed a large positive deviation from the mixing rule, while the uncompatibilized samples had lower properties, even compared to those predicted by the mixing rule. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers

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