Synthesis of Nano-Biocomposite for Light-Weight Structural Applications

Abstract

Biocomposite materials have brought additional possibilities to the manufacturing industry rather than synthetic materials. Biodegradable polymer materials such as Polylactide Acid (PLA) have attracted various industries for numerous applications due to their excellent properties such as tensile strength despite some weaknesses. However, their combination with varying weight percentages of Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%), Montmorillonite (MMT) nano clay (0%, 3%, 6%, and 9%) as reinforcing agents, and Sorbitol (S) (10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) as plasticizers to enhance properties, fabricated at various temperatures (100°C, 125°C, 150°C, and 175°C) using the melt-mixing method, can be evaluated under different testing standards and optimized to achieve an optimal experimental setup. This study prepared 16 biocomposite samples through Taguchi’s Orthogonal Array experimental design. The optimal factor level combination was investigated for Flexural Strength (FS) at 3% MCC and 9% MTT fillers, and 20% S plasticizer and at 175-degree centigrade, 3%MCC, 9%MTT, 20%S and 175-degree centigrade, at these levels, FS (Flexural Strength) is 96.5 MPa, Flexural Modulus (FM) (6%MCC, 9%MTT, 20%S, and 175-degree centigrade), at these control factors FM is 9.8 GPa, Tensile Strength (TS) (9%MCC, 9%MTT, 10%S, and 175-degree centigrade), at these levels, TS is 85.2 MPa, Young´s Modulus (YM) (6%MCC, 9%MTT, 0%S, and 150-degree centigrade), at these experimental run YM is 4.22 GPa, Water Absorption (WA) (0% MCC, 0% MTT, 0% S and 150 degree centigrade), WA is 2.42% and Density (D) (9%MCC, 9%MTT, 30%S and 175 degree centigrade) at this experimental setup D is 0.0427g/mm3. A general multiple linear model was established for each result prediction. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the regression model shows the statistical significance of the regression model and the significance of the factors that affect each response. The addition of fillers and plasticizers significantly improves the properties of PLA material and the developed biocomposite material is expected to be utilized for lightweight load-carrying applications in structural and biomedical areas.

Keywords: Biocomposite, Micro Crystalline Cellulose, Montmorillonite, Polylactide Acid, Sorbitol, Multiple Linear Model