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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Cotton Production and Processing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #385593
Research Project: Enhancing the Profitability and Sustainability of Upland Cotton, Cottonseed, and Agricultural Byproducts through Improvements in Pre-Ginning, Ginning, and Post-Ginning Processes

Location: Cotton Production and Processing Research

Title: Enhancing uv-shielding and mechanical properties of polylactic acid nanocomposites by adding lignin coated cellulose nanocrystals

Author
item SHOJAEIARANI, J - Western New England University
item BAJWA, DILPREET - Montana State University
item Holt, Gregory

Submitted to: Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/26/2021
Publication Date: 9/5/2021
Citation: Shojaeiarani, J., Bajwa, D., Holt, G.A. 2021. Enhancing uv-shielding and mechanical properties of polylactic acid nanocomposites by adding lignin coated cellulose nanocrystals. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Conference. 107.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In this work, the UV-shielding performance, mechanical properties, and biodegradation abilities of PLA nanocomposites containing lignin coated cellulose nanocrystals (LCNC) were compared to PLA nanocomposite reinforced with lignin nanoparticles (LNP). PLA nanocomposites with different content of nanofillers (i.e., 1, 3, and 5%) were prepared via masterbatch approach followed by extrusion and injection molding. The morphologies of PLA nanocomposites studied by SEM images, confirmed smooth fracture surface with micro size LCNC aggregates, however, rough fracture surface and uniform nanoparticle dispersion was observed in PLA nanocomposites reinforced by LNP. Compared to neat PLA, the thermomechanical performance of PLA-3%LCNCs was improved by 21%, while 3% LNP improved the storage modulus for 11%. Results from UV–Vis characterization revealed a synergic effect of LNP and LCNC nanostructures in terms of UV light blocking ability. By the addition of high content of 5wt % LCNC into PLA matrix, the highest UV radiation was blocked out by (75.27%) of UV-A and (82.81%) of UV-B. It was found that the maximum weight loss of PLA nanocomposites after being hydrolytic degraded for 20'days increased from 8% for PLA to 14% for PLA-5'wt% LCNC, and 12.7% for PLA-5%LNP. This study is expected to provide meaningful insights into PLA nanocomposite reinforced with LCNC and LNP.