Properties characterization of plasticized polylactic acid/Biochar (bio carbon) nano-composites for antistatic packaging.

Jasim, Saif Mohammed; Ali, Nadia Abbas

A new type of light-weight nanocarbon prepared by the spraydrying method to obtain particle size of 21.7 nm based on the polylactic acid biodegradable film in antistatic packaging. Biocarbon (biochar) is the carbon derived from plants, and soils to naturally absorb and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere because it is renewability. Therefore it has been used to reinforce biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) to obtain 100 % recyclable material. Plasticizer thymol of polylactic acid and biochar (biocarbon) were used as composites were prepared by a solution casting method with (0.5-10) wt% biochar. The films were characterized using FTIR, electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, contact angle and color and brightness were studied. Results showed that electrical conductivity of increased with increased biochar making the composite less resistive and suitable for use as antistatic packaging for the transportation and storage of electronic components. Mechanical tests showed reduced tensile strength and tensile modulus but increased in elongation. Also Tear Resistance and Hardness decreased because used thymol as plasticizers at PLA/thymol (95/5) and films composites change from brittle to ductile. The results of the contact angle of pure PLA is 83◦ means hydrophobic materials and decreased to 54◦ at PLA/thymol/biochar 10% to obtain hydrophilic materials which is able to dissipate or promote the decay of static electricity and improve the processability of the electronic device. Optical properties such as color and brightness showed decreased but suitable for antistatic packaging and became opacity at 10% biochar.

POLYLACTIC acid; BIOCHAR; STATIC electricity; RECYCLABLE material; TENSILE strength; CONTACT angle

Iraqi Journal of Physics, 2019, Vol 17, Issue 42, p13

2070-4003

Academic Journal

10.20723/ijp.17.42.13-26