Improve the melt strength of Poly-lactic acid (PLA)

Khan, Muhammed Saad (2019) Improve the melt strength of Poly-lactic acid (PLA). Bachelor's Thesis, Chemical Engineering.

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Abstract

The aim of this research involves modification of polylactic acid (PLA) using twin screw brabender in order to improve its thermal stability and enhance its rheological properties. According to the results obtained, it is presented that neat polymers tends to degrade upon processing hence there is a decrease of molecular weight (Mw) and viscosity. The modified PLA was blended with variable concentration of chain extension named ‘Joncryl ADR’, however, the emphasis of the study was on the 3% weightage. The incorporation of this chain extender bearing multifunctional epoxy groups showed an improvement in the polymer’s melt stability. Thermal degradation of PLA has been reported by thermo-gravimetric (TGA) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). GPC data of these modified PLA which were processed at different temperature (160, 180 and 200°C) showed an overall increase in molecular weight related to the formation of extended or branched chains. Furthermore, via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the thermal transitions occurring during the heating process for PLA, Joncryl and their respective blend were assessed. Rheological investigations for neat and modified PLA blends where carried out where modified PLA exhibited higher viscosity and dynamic moduli compared to the neat one.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Picchioni, F. and Fan, Y.
Degree programme:	Chemical Engineering
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	13 May 2019
Last Modified:	17 Jun 2019 07:31
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/19465

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