Evaluation of ultrasonic probe and bath sonication methods for the dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles in PLA-based nanocomposites

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a promising biodegradable polymer that has someday, valuable applications in many industries. Its inherent brittleness and limited thermal stability, however, are restricting its wider use. In this study, titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were added to PLA films to enhance their mechanical and thermal properties. The two different methods of dispersing the nanoparticles, ultrasonic-probe sonication (UPS) and bath sonication (BS), were investigated for their effectiveness to achieve homogeneous nanoparticle distribution. The findings revealed improvement in mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/TiO2 nanocomposites using both methods. UPS outperformed in achieving better dispersion, which led to measurably enhanced material properties. However, BS proved to be a valid and economically feasible method, producing composites with substantially improved properties compared to pure PLA, making it suitable for large-scale applications. Results indicated that the two approaches could thus be effectively utilized in creating high-performance nanocomposites from PLA intended for environmentally friendly biodegradable packaging, biomedical materials, or structural components requiring improved property performance.