Polylactic acid/natural wax/ZnO nanoparticles composite materials for single-use packaging: A study of degradation under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The present work is studying the hydrolytic degradation of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) plasticized with natural wax (Wx) and mixed with Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, functionalized (PLA + Wx + ZnO F) and non-functionalized (PLA + Wx + ZnO Non-F) with triethoxysilane. Different ZnO concentrations of 0.1, and 1 wt% functionalized and non-functionalized were added to an 85/15 PLA/Wx matrix using a Brabender internal mixing at 180 °C. To study the hydrolytic degradation of the composites, type V specimens (ASTM D638) were obtained by hot melt compression. Hydrolytic degradation was carried out in tridistilled water at a temperature of 50 °C and initial pH 7.1. The degradation of PLA + Wx + ZnO F and PLA + Wx + ZnO Non-F blends was monitored for 2 months. Changes in weight, morphology, and the rheological behavior of the blends were evaluated at different periods during degradation.