Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)-Based Nanocomposites: Impact of Vermiculite, Silver, and Graphene Oxide on Thermal Stability, Isothermal Crystallization, and Local Mechanical Behavior

The structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of unreinforced reinforced polylactic acid (PLA) were investigated. PLA was a biopolymer that with four fillers (i.e., graphene oxide (GO) silver (Ag); vermiculite (VMT) two organically modified vermiculites). processing technique for the production composite materials carefully planned. nanocomposites investigated by examining their morphological aspects, changes in phases transitions and, most importantly, effect on certain final properties. X-ray diffraction differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis indicated sample completely amorphous. Thermogravimetric (TGA) results presence reinforcing particles matrix did not affect thermal degradation these composites. Furthermore, local using microindentation method to evaluate different nanofillers. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) VHX-500 optical digital microscope (Keyence International, Mechelen, Belgium) also used examine surface morphology polymer These can help select suitable enhance performance biopolymers.