Effect of TiO2 and ZnO on PLA degradation in various media

Abstract

This work shows the effect of 2 and 5 wt% TiO2 nanoparticles (modified by fluorocarbons and not) and of 1, 3 and 5 wt% ZnO particles on PLA degradation evaluated under UV irradiation, hydrolytical 1N NaOH solution, enzymatical proteinase K solution, and isothermal condition. The presence of TiO2 nanoparticles and ZnO particles decreases the degradation processes of PLA under UV light exposure and increases the PLA hydrolytic degradation. The enzymatic degradation is faster with TiO2 nanoparticles than with ZnO particles, respect neat PLA; whereas the opposite effect is identified in the PLA enzymatic degradation. Correspondence to: CAntonella Marra, Istituto per i Polimeri Compositi e Biomateriali (IPCB), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Via Campi Flegrei 34, Comprensorio Olivetti, 80078 Pozzuoli (NA), Italy, E-mail: marranto.nella@libero.it