Development of a PLA/PHA-TiO₂ Polymer Blend with Improved Physicochemical and Thermal Properties

IF 4.7 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Journal of Polymers and the Environment Pub Date : 2025-03-06 DOI:10.1007/s10924-025-03547-y

Ibrahim Nazem Qader, Mediha Kök, Kathrin Sleman Mohammed, Meltem Coskun, Ecem Özen Öner, Yıldırım Aydoğdu

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Abstract

The increasing use of plastic products has led to significant environmental concerns from waste accumulation and inadequate recycling, highlighting the need for sustainable solutions like biodegradable plastics. This study investigates the influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer blends, focusing on their shape memory behavior and crystallinity. The PLA/PHA: TiO₂ nanocomposites, synthesized via solution casting, were characterized by XRD, DSC, TGA, SEM, SME, FTIR, and tensile testing. XRD analysis confirmed the incorporation of highly crystalline tetragonal TiO₂ NPs (space group I41/amd), which increased the overall crystallinity of the composites while reducing the crystallinity of the PLA/PHA blend. Thermal analysis revealed a decrease in the blend’s glass transition temperature (T_g) from 36.5 °C to lower values with TiO₂ doping, while the melting temperature (T_m) remained stable at approximately 175.3 °C. SEM micrographs demonstrated uniform nanoparticle dispersion, with surface roughness increasing at higher TiO₂ concentrations. Tensile testing showed a reduction in elasticity and a progressive increase in stiffness with increasing TiO₂ content, while UV-Vis analysis revealed a decrease in the bandgap energy to below 4 eV due to enhanced charge carrier density. This study pioneers the use of TiO₂ NPs to enhance the crystallinity, thermal stability, and shape memory properties of PLA/PHA blends, offering a promising pathway for advanced environmentally friendly material applications.

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来源期刊

Journal of Polymers and the Environment 工程技术-高分子科学

CiteScore

9.50

自引率

7.50%

发文量

297

审稿时长

9 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Polymers and the Environment fills the need for an international forum in this diverse and rapidly expanding field. The journal serves a crucial role for the publication of information from a wide range of disciplines and is a central outlet for the publication of high-quality peer-reviewed original papers, review articles and short communications. The journal is intentionally interdisciplinary in regard to contributions and covers the following subjects - polymers, environmentally degradable polymers, and degradation pathways: biological, photochemical, oxidative and hydrolytic; new environmental materials: derived by chemical and biosynthetic routes; environmental blends and composites; developments in processing and reactive processing of environmental polymers; characterization of environmental materials: mechanical, physical, thermal, rheological, morphological, and others; recyclable polymers and plastics recycling environmental testing: in-laboratory simulations, outdoor exposures, and standardization of methodologies; environmental fate: end products and intermediates of biodegradation; microbiology and enzymology of polymer biodegradation; solid-waste management and public legislation specific to environmental polymers; and other related topics.