Journal Published Online: 07 July 2021
Volume 10, Issue 1

Understanding Zones of Molecular Dimension in Poly (Lactic Acid) Composites through Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: Correlation with Tensile Yield Test Measurements

CODEN: MPCACD

Abstract

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) filled poly (lactic acid) composites (MWCNTs PLAC) and hybrid poly (lactic acid) composites (HPLAC) filled with hybrid fillers, i.e., combining variable weight percentage of MWCNTs (0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt. %) and fixed weight percentage of carbon black (CB) (2.5 wt. %) were prepared using oligomeric dispersion. This article focuses on the use of attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze the intermolecular interactions and zones of molecular dimension within polymer composite materials. For the first time percent transmittance (%T) and transmittance area (A) of peaks from ATR-FTIR spectra were corroborated with the zones of molecular dimension within MWCNTs PLAC and HPLAC. Tensile measurements were performed on test specimens of MWCNTs PLAC and HPLAC, and the numerical values of tensile yield strength were determined. The numerical values of tensile yield test measurements of MWCNTs PLAC and HPLAC were then compared with the %T and A of MWCNTs PLAC and HPLAC ATR-FTIR spectra, which presented a new way to qualitatively analyze the zones of molecular dimension and their role toward the change in the tensile yield strength of the MWCNTs PLAC and HPLAC.

Author Information

Rane, Ajay Vasudeo
Composite Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Yadav, Deepti
Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Kanny, Krishnan
Composite Research Group, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
Revaprasadu, Neerish
Department of Chemistry, University of Zululand, KwaDlangezwa, South Africa
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: 14
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Stock #: MPC20200127
ISSN: 2379-1365
DOI: 10.1520/MPC20200127