Title: Bio-degradable filament based on PLA/thermoplastic cassava starch blends with poly(ethylene glycol): a study of physical, mechanical characterisation, and processing assessment

Authors: Tien Trung Vu; Thien Dinh Le; Huy Lam Pham; Duc Bau Nguyen; Chi Thien Pham; Chi Nhan Ha Thuc

Addresses: Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ' Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Abstract: This study prepared a biodegradable composite based on Polylactide acid/thermoplastic starch and the plasticising effect by Polyethylene Glycol with different molecular weights is 1000, 6000 were studied. The effect of molecular weights of Polyethylene Glycol on Polylactide acid was characterised in terms of mechanical properties, melting flow index (MFI), thermal, and morphology was investigated. The results indicated that the structure and properties of Polylactide acid/Polyethylene Glycol blends were different from virgin Polylactide acid and the molecular weight of Polyethylene Glycol is 6000 g/mol, increasing the flexural strength, impact strength, and toughness of virgin Polylactide acid. By differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, it was found that the glass transition temperature and cold crystallisation temperature decreased in the case of the Polylactide acid/Polyethylene Glycol blend, with 7% Polyethylene Glycol 6000 loaded with virgin Polylactide acid, the blend Polylactide acid/Polyethylene Glycol 6-7 showed optimum structural and mechanical properties to develop the bio-degradable blend with cassava thermoplastic starch. Besides, the bio-degradable composite from Polylactide acid/Polyethylene Glycol 6-7 with cassava thermoplastic starch was studied, with increasing the content of cassava thermoplastic starch in the blend. The result indicates that the blend Polylactide acid/Polyethylene Glycol 6-7 with 10 wt% cassava thermoplastic starch shows a high melt flow index higher than virgin Polylactide acid, and the mechanical properties of this blend are enough to produce the 3D filament.

Keywords: FFF; fused filament fabrication; 3D printing; cassava thermoplastic starch; polylactide; material characterisation; biodegradability; plasticiser.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2024.146458

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2024 Vol.21 No.7/8/9/10/11/12, pp.551 - 570

Published online: 30 May 2025 *

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