Abstract

PLA (Poly (lactic acid)) is a representative bioplastic and has strength and modulus comparable to conventional general-purpose plastics. However, its processability is limited due to its low thermal stability and high brittleness. To overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to expand the possibilities of use, PLA is often modified, for example, by forming blends with other polymers or by adding a plasticiser or other fillers. In this study, copolymerized aramid nanofiber was adopted as a reinforcing filler. This is because copolymerized aramid has higher flexibility and higher tensile strength than other conventional aramids. In addition, by reducing the diameter of aramid fibers to the nanoscale, several excellent properties can be obtained, and nanofibers can also act as fillers to prepare functional composite materials by mixing with other materials. Therefore, copolymerized aramid nanofibers (CANFs) can be used as nanofillers to prepare nanocomposites with excellent mechanical strength and toughness. In this experiment, to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of PLA by adding nanofibrillated CANF.

Keywords: PLA, copolymerized aramid nanofibers, reinforcing filler