Thermogravimetric and DSC testing of poly(lactic acid) nanocomposites

Polymer nanocomposites based on poly(lactic acid), PLA, and two types of nanofillers: nanosilver and nanoclay were obtained by casting method. The thermal properties of PLA and nanocomposites have been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). All samples have been UV-irradiated and the effect of photoprocess on their thermal stability has been estimated. It was found that nanoadditives and UV irradiation causes an increase of the activation energy of PLA thermal decomposition. DSC result supplies information on glass transition and crystallization/melting processes in PLA in the presence of nanosilver or nanoclay, also after exposure to UV.