The aim of this study was to investigate the thermomechanical, thermal properties and structural morphology of modified poly (lactic acid) (PLA) reinforced with titanium oxide (TiO2) nanofiller. The PLA composites were prepared by solvent casting followed by hot press method using tributyl citrate (TBC) as a plasticizer and TiO2 nanofiller for reinforcement. The thermomechanical, thermal behavior and structural morphology of PLA composites were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The crystallinity and transparency of the composites were studied using X-ray diffraction analysis and UV-Vis transmittance spectroscopy. Results showed TBC acts as a successful plasticizer that increased flexibility of the composite with improved crystallinity from 17.52 % to 38.56 % at the optimum loading of 7.0 w/w % TBC. The cross-section morphology of the c.....

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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a useful alternative to petrochemical commodity material used in such as in food packaging industries. Due to its inherent brittleness, low thermal stability, and poor crystallization, it needs to improve its properties, namely in terms of thermal and mechanical performance. The plasticized PLA composites reinforced with nanofiller were prepared by solvent casting and hot press methods. Thermal and mechanical properties, as well as the crystallinity study of these nanocomposites, were investigated to study the effect of tributyl citrate (TBC) and TiO2 on the PLA composites. The addition of TBC improved the flexibility and crystallinity of the composites. Reinforcement of TiO2 was found as a practical approach to improve the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and enhanced crystalline ability for plasticized PLA nanocomposites. Based on the results achieved in this study, the composite with 3.5% nanofiller (pPLATi3.5) presented the optimum set of mechani.....

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