Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of PLA/Cellulose Composites
N. M. Nurazzi, N. Abdullah, Mohd Nor Faiz Norrrahim, Siti Hasnah Kamarudin, Sharifah Muzdalifah Syed Ahmad, S. S. Shazleen, M. Rayung, M.R. Mohd Asyraf, R. A. Ilyas, M. Kuzmin
Abstract
Polylactic acid (PLA)/cellulose composites have been the prime candidate to replace synthetic polymer composites in numerous types of applications, especially for packaging. However, its limitation, especially on brittleness, is a significant drawback that limits its applications. Thus, the addition of cellulose, a type of natural resource, was employed to PLA to modify the brittleness of PLA while at the same time protecting the environment. Significant advantages associated with cellulose include low density, high toughness, eco-friendly, and biodegradability. Cellulose has particularly received tremendous attention as reinforcing fillers in nanocomposite materials, including PLA/cellulose composites, due to its ready availability, renewability, light weight, nanoscale dimension, and unique morphology. This chapter discusses the thermal properties focusing on the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses of PLA/cellulose composites. The definition and experimental setup of TGA and DSC analyses have been mentioned briefly. Thermal analyses showed that the addition of cellulose to the PLA matrix improves the thermal stability of PLA polymer. DSC measurement revealed that the addition of cellulose resulted in a decrease of the glass transition temperature, which aids PLA chain mobility in the PLA/cellulose composites, whereas TGA cellulose in the PLA/cellulose composites reduced the rate of decomposition of PLA and enhanced the thermal stability of composites. It can be concluded that the addition of cellulose improved the properties of PLA/cellulose composites. Hence, these findings could be used for the commercialization and humankind benefits aspects in the long run.