Journal Published Online: 25 August 2020
Volume 9, Issue 1

Ultraviolet–Visible Spectroscopy: A Qualitative Tool to Predict Dispersion and Interphase Characteristics in Carbon-Based Particulate Filled Poly (Lactic Acid) Composites

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

Properties of polymer composites depend to a large extent on the characteristics of dispersion and interphase layers. In this work, poly (lactic acid) composites (PLAC) were prepared via the dissolution–dispersion method (DD) and oligomeric–dispersion method (OD). Ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS) was used to determine the dispersion and interphase characteristics within the PLAC. An increase in absorbance at a higher wavelength within the absorbance spectra was observed for PLAC prepared by DD and OD, which can be attributed to the formation of strong adlayers as well as “near to homogenous dispersion” for carbon-based particulate filled composites. An increase in absorbance was observed for PLAC prepared by OD in comparison to DD and can be attributed to modifications occurring at interphase regions. PLAC using carbon black, multiwalled carbon nanotubes in poly (lactic acid) were prepared via DD and OD and further characterized by UV–VIS. To study the “hybrid effect,” composites with 2.5 weight percent of carbon black with varied concentration of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and nanocellulose fibers were prepared via DD and OD, further characterized for UV–VIS. This manuscript portrays the role of UV–VIS to determine dispersion as well as the interphase characteristics for poly (lactic acid) filled carbon composites.

Author Information

Rane, Ajay Vasudeo
Composite Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology – Steve Biko Campus, Durban, South Africa
Kanny, Krishnan
Composite Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology - Steve Biko Campus, Durban, South Africa
Biju, Merlin
St. Dominic’s College, Department of Chemistry, Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, India
Sudhakaran, Sudhikuttan Akkattil
St. Dominic’s College, Department of Chemistry, Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, India
Aravind, Ammu
St. Dominic’s College, Department of Chemistry, Affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kanjirapally, Kottayam, India
Thomas, Sabu
School of Chemical Sciences, School of Energy Materials, and International and Interuniversity Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India
Pages: 13
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Stock #: MPC20200056
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20200056