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https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-019-00275-6

ORIGINAL PAPER

Effect of MMT Clay on Mechanical, Thermal and Barrier Properties

of Treated Aloevera Fiber/ PLA-Hybrid Biocomposites
P. Ramesh 1 & B. Durga Prasad 2 & K. L. Narayana 3

Received: 9 May 2019 / Accepted: 12 September 2019

# Springer Nature B.V. 2019

Abstract
In this research, the PLA- biocomposite and PLA- hybrid biocomposites were prepared with twin screw extruder, two-roll mill,
and compression molding method. The PLA based bio-composites are fabricated with 30% of treated aloevera fiber and 0, 1, 2
and 3 wt% nanoclay filler. The influence of MMT clay on thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of PLA-biocomposite and
PLA-hybrid biocomposites has been studied. The PLA-hybrid biocomposites thermal, mechanical and water resistance proper-
ties are increased with adding of MMT clay. However, 1 wt.% MMT included PLA-hybrid biocomposites exhibits increased
tensile, flexural, impact and abrasion resistance properties than PLA- biocomposite, the improvements 5.72, 6.08, 10.43, and
45.71% respectively are observed. The PLA-bio and hybrid biocomposites showed higher tensile modules 25.76, 18.84, 31.53
and 32.30% respectively, and flexural modules 61.42, 60.95, 66.66 and 79.04% respectively, than pure- PLA. The results TGA
analysis depicted that inclusion of MMT clay can improve the decomposition temperature of the PLA-biocomposites. The
addition of 3 wt.% MMT clay can improve the PLA- biocomposite decomposition temperature from 295 to 299o C in T 10%
likewise 338 to 350o C in T 75%. SEM analysis discloses that, MMT clay not only improves micro-structure and also it acts as a
load transfer mechanism. The Physical barrier properties and biodegradability results show that water resistance of biocomposites
improved and biodegradability decreased due to adding of MMT clay.

Keywords Polylactic acid . Aloevera fiber . NaOH treatment . Montmorillonite clay . Thermo- mechanical . Physical barrier and
biodegradability properties

1 Introduction processability but costly material; for diverse useful appli-

Eco-friendly composites are non-toxic and purely bio-
degradation with composting process [1]. In various green
thermo plastics, Polylactic acid offers an exclusive opportuni-
ty and numerous of works have been studied [2, 3]. The corn
based PLA offered prospective alternative medium for syn-
thetic or conventional polymers in market [4]. It is a resource-
ful polymer, which was derived from farming raw materials
like renewable starch, and sugar, which are fermented by
lactic-acid [5]. The PLA offers greater strength and easy
* P. Ramesh
rameshvgt@gmail.com
1
Research Scholar, JNTUA, Ananthapuramu, AP 515002, India
2
Mechanical Engineering Department, JNT University,
Ananthapuramu, AP 515002, India
3
Mechanical Engineering Department, SVCET, Chittoor, AP 517127,
India
ances the modification is necessary [6]. Hence, natural-fibers
and nano clay inclusion in PLA is a right or alteration system
to develop cost-effective material, which has most recently
attained thought to substitute carbon and glass fibers [7, 8].
The foremost problem with natural fiber composites is incom-
patibility between hydrophobic polymer and hydrophilic nat-
ural fiber and poor wetting; it can reduce the thermal and
mechanical properties of the composite. However, it can over-
come with chemical and physical treatments, or incorporating
of additives and compatibilizers [9–13].
The additives like synthetic aramid and glass fibers, nano
clay, nano silica and nano tubes that may be used to make
hybrid composites through suitable material design [14]. The
hybrid composite properties are exclusively managed by fac-
tors like matrix, type of filler, fiber dimension, fiber-matrix
adhesion and nano filler-matrix adhesion [13, 15]. At present,
hybrid composites are receiving extensive attention as the ad-
vanced constructional and structural materials with exact
balancing better performance and cost effectiveness. The hy-
brid composite material is developed by combine of two or

more dissimilar fibers in a common polymer matrix or rein-
forced with polymer blends [16–18], and it offers most
attracting potential application in non structural, semi structur-
al and structural industrial sectors [19].
Hybrid technology creates the new revolution in the area of
material science showing the most high-tech advanced com-
posites. The adding of nano particles demonstrates remarkable
enhancement in the thermal, mechanical, physical thermo-
mechanical properties due to perfect distribution, a high spe-
cific ratio and effective polymer filler interaction [13, 20].
In the different types of natural resources, plant fibers
are low cost, low density, easy to handle and comparable
mechanical properties over synthetic fibers [21]. Among
the plant based fibers, aloevera fiber is identified as most
important one for biocomposites study because of its
availability, acceptable specific strength and low cost.
Aloevera plant (Aloe barbadensis Miller) also called me-
dicinal plant and it is widely used in food, cosmetic and
pharmaceutical or drugs industries since thousands of
years [22]. Aloevera plants were widely cultivated in
India, Florida, South Texas, United States i.e. South
California, Africa, South and Central America, Australia,
Iran and Caribbean [23]. Its look like a sisal plant, but in
reality different in nature; these are easily cultivated and
low maintenance plant, and ability to stay alive through
hard weather circumstances in a rocky terrain and pro-
vides economic benefit [24]. Aloevera gel was extracted
from the leaves and leaving the outer shell (residue). The
fibers extracted from these leftover leaf shells by using
retting method and are at currently use in small textile
industry in southern India [25].
Chemical or surface modification methods can decrease the
aloevera fiber disadvantages like hydrophilic nature, low ther-
mal resistance, durability, low water resistance and poor com-
patibility between polymer and fiber. In case of plant fibers,
the presence of lignin, wax, pectin and hemicelluloses are
expected to hinder the edge bonding between the polymer
and fiber. Chemical modification for fiber is general technique
to reduce moisture absorption and improves the adhesion be-
tween the hydrophobic polymer matrix and hydrophilic natu-
ral fibers [26]. In several cases, it is potential to make compat-
ibility between the two materials by introducing maleic anhy-
dride and silane type coupling agent, which can reduce the
water absorption in the composites [27]. The various chemical
modification methods such as alkaline, peroxide, acetylating,
silane and benzoylation treatments have been studied in the
past [26]. Among them, alkaline treatment (NaOH) is inex-
pensive, easy and effective method when compared to other
methods. Alkaline method expected to remove lignin, wax
and pectin on the fiber as well roughen the surface, facilitating
superior interlocking and adhesion between the polymer and
fiber [28–30]. The NaOH concentration, immersion time and
temperature influence the properties of composites [31].
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At present, nano particles or fillers such as organically
modified montmorillonite(OMMT) and montmorillonite
(MMT) nanoclay getting higher consideration as they possess
the potential tendency to modify extensively the thermal, me-
chanical and functional properties of both thermoplastic and
thermoset polymers [32, 33]. The various nano clay are pyro-
phyllite, organo clay, hectorite, saponite and nontronite
nanoclay, montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay; among these
montmorillonite (MMT) nanoclay is the most commonly used
layer silicate in polymer composites due to its high strength,
low cost, high aspect ratio and high modulus [33, 34].
Several systems are being considered for get better proper-
ties and diminish of PLA cost. The produced PLA-
biocomposites has established to be a successful technique
to attain ideal properties [1, 35–38]. Some scientists are
achieving the preferred properties through hybridization
method like addition of fillers and or natural fibers into the
conventional polymers or plastics [39, 40]. Chaitanya et al.
[24] have reported that treatment and 30% fiber content en-
hanced mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA/
aloevera fiber biocomposite. N Saba et al. [19] investigated
and compare the morphological and mechanical properties of
OPEFB/kenaf/epoxy, OMMT/kenaf/epoxy and MMT/kenaf/
epoxy hybrid composites. Q Meng et al. [41] experimented
the effects of nanoclay on mechanical and thermal properties
of PLA/clay/wood nanocomposites. V Sajna et al. [42] devel-
oped the banana/PLA/nano clay hybrid green nanocompos-
ites. M Kaiser et al. [43] studied the effects of process routes
on morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of PLA/
kenaf/ nanoclay biocomposites. E.Jalalvandi et al. [44] have
researched the influence of MMT clay on mechanical, water
absorption, biodegradability and physical barrier properties of
starch/PLA hybrid biocomposites. M.N Azmi et al. [45]
analysed the optimum concentration of MMT clay in kenaf-
PP/PLA-MMT clay hybrid biocomposites. P Ramesh et al.
[46] investigated mechanical properties of PLA/treated kenaf
fiber/MMT clay hybrid biocomposites.
Every one of the above researchers some have attempted to
determine appropriate hybrid-composites with preferred prop-
erties. It is the evident from literature review that no one has
tried to combine PLA, treated aloevera fiber (TAF) and mont-
morillonite (MMT) clay. So far investigators knowledge this
is the first article on PLA/TAF/MMT clay hybrid
biocomposite prepared via compression molding method.
The PLA/TAF biocomposite and PLA/TAF hybrid
biocomposites having total 30 wt.% of TAF loading by weight
together with 1, 2 and 3 wt.% MMT clay loading in PLA/TAF
hybrid biocomposites are fabricated by twin screw-extruder-
compression molding method.
The main objective of this article is to investigate the
effect of MMT clay loading on mechanical, morphologi-
cal, thermal, physical barrier and biodegradability proper-
ties of PLA/TAF biocomposite and PLA/TAF/MMT clay
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hybrid biocomposites. The results are also compared with
PLA/TAF biocomposite and virgin PLA in order to devel-
op biodegradable hybrid biocomposites with improved
performance characteristics.
2 Experimental
2.1 Materials
In this research pellet formed 3052D PLA with 1.24 g/cm3 at
specific gravity, 145-160o C of melting temperature and 55-60o
C of glass transition material acquired from Nature Tech. The
aloevera fiber supplied through Go-Green Products, India. The
NaOH was supplied by SR-Scientific Chemicals, Tirupati, AP
in India. The 1-3 mm long chopped fibers are used. The 1.01 g/
cm3 density MMT clay (Nanomers® I.31PS) by modifying
onium ion, powder formed with ≤20 μm sized is procured from
Sigma-Aldrich at Bangalore, India. It contains 0.5–5 wt%
aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and 15 to 35 wt% octadecylamine.
2.2 Methods
2.2.1 Fiber Surface Modification
The NaOH treatment method is applied for aloevera fiber
surface modification. The pellet formed Sodium hydrox-
ide (NaOH) was provided by S.R.S. Chemicals at
Tirupati, India. Aloevera fibers are covered with water
in 6% NaOH solution for 3 h at room temperature. The
aloevera fibers then bathe with flowing distilled water.
The pH value kept 7 as constant. Afterwards, the treated
fibers kept in oven at 100o C for 8 h.
2.2.2 Preparation of PLA- Hybrid Biocomposites
The produced composites formations were tabulated in
Table 1 Prior to fabrication of sample PLA, TAF and MMT
clay were held in oven at 110o C for 1 h. The PLA, TAF and
MMT clay are physically pre-mixed and then compounded
through (ZV 20 model) twin-screw extruder. Screw diameter
and L/D ratio were 21 mm and 40, respectively. For
compounding of all PLA-composites, screw speed and
Table 1 Compositions and
composite names Denotation Sample
P PLA
A PLA-30TAF
A1 PLA-30TAF-1MMT
A2 PLA-30TAF-2MMT
A3 PLA-30TAF-3MMT
temperature profile were set to 78 rpm and 155o C to 190o C
respectively. Then, compounded pellets are kept in oven for
dry at 80 °C for 4 h. After drying, the compound pellets are
pre-melted at 185 °C in a counter rotating two roll mill internal
mixer through a revolve speed of 50 rpm. Afterwards, the
compounded pellets are processed through compression
molding machine. During the process, keep the temperature
185 °C and 30 ton force applied (up stroke); then compacted at
165 °C bar pressure for 30 min followed by cool under pres-
sure. When the mold temperature reached at 90o C the platens
are opened from press; then composite sheets (200 mm X
200 mm X 3 mm) are removed from platens and cut to desired
form for tensile, flexural, impact, abrasion resistance,
thermogravemetric analysis, water absorption and biodegrad-
ability evaluations. The same procedure is followed for prep-
aration of bio and hybrid biocomposites. Virgin- PLA sheet is
produced through two roll mill- compression molding.
2.2.3 Mechanical Characterizations
Tensile test of PLA-biocomposite and PLA-hybrid
biocomposites is carried out by Instron-3369 Universal
Testing Machine-USA according to ASTM D638 at 25o C.
Speed of cross head is 10 mm/min. Flexural test of
biocomposites also performed through the same UTM
i.e.50KN load and 50 mm span length according to ASTM
D790–03 at 18o C. Impact test of biocomposites are finding
through Izod testing machine according to ASTM D256 at
18 J load. Abrasion resistance test is carried out by abrasion
machine according to ASTM D1044 standards for 100 cycles.
2.2.4 Morphological Characterizations
JSM-IT500 scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Japan
Electronics Optic Limited, USA) was used to examine the
break surface of tensile fracture specimens. The gold coating
is coated to samples through vacuum sputter coater.
2.2.5 Thermal Characterizations
The PLA-biocomposite and PLA-hybrid biocomposites ther-
mal stability is carried out through TGA (Thermogravemetry
analysis) by Perkin Elmer instrument. The samples (5–30 mg)
PLA, wt% 6% NaOH treated MMT clay, wt%
Aloevera fiber, wt%
100 0 0
70 30 0
69 30 1
68 30 2
67 30 3
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were heated from 30 to 800o C with a heating rate of 10o 70

C/min under nitrogen gas flow.
60

Tensile strength, MPa

2.2.6 Water Absorption Test
50
Water absorption test is carried out through direct immer-
sion of PLA-biocomposite and PLA-hybrid biocomposites 40
in normal water at room temperature with dimension
10 mm X 10 mm X 3 mm for up to 30 days. At regular 30
intervals, each specimen removed and washed with tissue
paper and then weighing through electronic balance. It is 20
calculated through following Eq. (1).
  10
W2−W1
Water Absorption ð%Þ ¼ x100 ð1Þ
W1 0
Where, W2 and W1 are after and before immersion mass of
P A A1 A2 A3
sample. Fig. 1 Tensile strength of biocomposites

2.2.7 Biodegradability Study 5.72%, respectively than PLA/TAF biocomposite (A). As

Biodegradability study of samples (10 cm x10 cm) is per-
formed through simple soil burial examination. Each sample
weighed and buried at 15 cm depth of the ordinary soil in the
garden at an average temperature of around 300 C and 80%
relative humidity for 10, 30 and 90 days respectively [47]. In
all 90 days (10, 30 and 90) temperature is not kept constant it
may changes every day, but here consider an average temper-
ature as temperature 30o C. Humidity content was kept 80%
constant for all 90 days (10, 30 and 90) by regular watering.
Humidity content was tested for every 2 h regularly to keep
80% constant by regular watering. The mass loss percentages
of biocomposites are calculated for 10, 30 and 90 days
through following Eq. (2).
 
Wi−Wf
Weight loss ð%Þ ¼ x100 ð2Þ
Wi
the MMT clay content beyond 1% (addition of 2 and 3%) by
weight flexural, impact and tensile strengths (A2 and A3) are
decreased. The impact, flexural and tensile strengths results
are followed same trend. These obtained results are confirmed
with those obtained results by H.Alamri et al. [48] in their
investigation they concluded that 1% nano filler epoxy based
nanocomposites demonstrate enhanced mechanical properties
than other (3 and 5 wt.% nano filler) nanocomposites. Kundan
et al. [49] found that bamboo /polyester with 1 wt% contain-
ing nano clay hybrid composites flexural and tensile strengths
are improved; beyond 1 wt% nano clay the properties are
diminished. Yong lei and co-workers [50] observed that the
higher amount of clay (beyond 1%) affects the tensile and
flexural strength of the wood/HDPE composites. Chern et al.
[51] reported that addition of 1% MMT K10 – polylactic
120
Flexural strength, MPa

Where, Wi and Wf are before and after mass of sample.

100

3 Results and Discussions 80

3.1 Mechanical Characterization 60

The PLA-biocomposite and PLA-hybrid biocomposites ob-
tained tensile strength is presented in Fig. 1. It is evident that, 40
the adding of montmorillonite clay improved the tensile
strength of the PLA-hybrid biocomposites. PLA-hybrid 20
biocomposites flexural and impact properties also followed
similar trend. The obtained flexural and impact properties
0
has been presented in Figs. 2 and 3. The adding of 1 wt.%
MMT clay into PLA-hybrid biocomposite (A1) flexural, im- P A A1 A2 A3
pact and tensile strengths are improved 6.08, 10.43 and Fig. 2 Flexural strength of bioocmposites
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70 9
8
Impact strength, kJ/m2

Flexural modulus, GPa

60
7
50
6
40 5
30 4
3
20
2
10 1
0 0
P A A1 A2 A3 P A A1 A2 A3
Fig. 3 Impact strength of biocomposites Fig. 5 Flexural modulus of biocomposites

acid/polycaprolactone nanocomposites enhanced higher me-
chanical properties than 3% MMT-PLA/ polycaprolactone,
5% MMT-PLA/ polycaprolactone and 7% MMT-PLA/
polycaprolactone nanocomposites.
The PLA-biocomposites, PLA-hybrid biocomposites ten-
sile and flexural modulus are plotted in Figs. 4 and 5. The
PLA-biocomposite (A) flexural and tensile modules are pro-
gressively increased with addition of TAF. The PLA-
biocomposite (A) and PLA- hybrid biocomposites (A1, A2
and A3) have greater flexural and tensile modules than (P)
virgin PLA. PLA-biocomposites (A) flexural and tensile mod-
ules are improved 61.42 and 26.15% respectively than virgin-
PLA (P). Additionally, 1 wt.% MMT/PLA/TAF hybrid
4 this diminish is recognized due to the irregular shapes, fiber
3.5
Tensile modulu, GPa
biocomposite (A1) tensile and flexural modules are improved
18.84% and 60.95% respectively than virgin- PLA (P). The
addition of treated fiber and MMT into PLA the tensile and
flexural modulus was expected increment, since introduced
stiffer materials or reinforcement into the polymers [52–54].
Similar trend observed in previous studies [55]. El-Shekeil
et al. [56] studied that the treatment and fiber content influ-
ences the tensile and flexural moduli [57]. Adversely, as
shown Figs. 1, 2 and 3 impact, tensile and flexural strength
are detrimental with natural filler. As example, the PLA/TAF
biocomposites impact strength is decreases from 56.69 to
50.39 kJ/m2; the flexural strength is reduced from 104.16 to
94.76 MPa; the tensile strength is diminished from 57.06 to
53.88 MPa. According to Yang et al. [58] and Ismail et al. [59]
inability, stresses transferred (support from matrix), micro-
voids and various processing procedures [60].

These finding results were agreement with those ob-

3 tained results by QK Meng et al. [41]. The addition of
1 wt.% MMT improves tensile, impact and flexural
2.5 strength of PLA- hybrid biocomposite (A1) to 5.72,
10.43 and 6.08% than PLA- biocomposite (Near to P).
2 This improvement clearly indicates that clay fillings the
micro pores (uniform dispersion), improved interface
1.5 bonding among TAF and PLA in case of 1 wt.% MMT
clay (A1), as evident from its superior impact, flexural
1 and tensile strength, abrasion resistance and SEM results.
The addition of 1 wt.% MMT/ TAF reinforced hybrid
0.5
biocomposites (A1) shows improved mechanical properties
0 because of high matrix-fiber bonding agent, which enlarges
the highest load transfer capacity. In other case, the addition of
P A A1 A2 A3 2 and 3 wt.% MMT clay-TAF reinforced hybrid
Fig. 4 Tensile modulus of bioocmposites biocomposites (A2 and A3) shows diminish mechanical

properties by having micro-voids and agglomerations forma-
tions; these are reduced both fiber-PLA bonding and load
transfer capacity; similar mechanism observed in previous
study [61, 62]. The nano clay content plays a vital role in
improved performance of PLA-hybrid biocomposites, the
lowered content enhanced higher mechanical properties.
3.1.1 Abrasion Resistance
Performed PLA- biocomposite and PLA- hybrid
biocomposites abrasion resistance results are shown in
Fig. 6. It is obvious that 1% MMT clay biocomposite (A1)
shows higher abrasion resistance than other. The 1% clay im-
proves the bonding between PLA and TAF; it is evident from
mechanical and morphological results. After more than 1%
MMT clay affects the abrasion resistance of biocomposites.
Previously the similar effect was observed in previous work
[63]. The mechanical results followed the same trend.
3.2 Morphological Properties
Figure 7a–d shows the PLA- biocomposite and PLA- hybrid
biocomposites structures. Multiplicities of failure mecha-
nisms such as fiber pullouts, fiber-matrix debonding, voids,
agglomerations, matrix failure and fiber rupture are ob-
served. The TAF/PLA biocomposites (Fig. 7a) shows some
de-bonding between the fabrics and matrix, pullouts. The
adding of 1 wt.% MMT clay PLA/TAF biocomposites
(Fig.7b) illustrates fine bonding agent between fibers to ma-
trix by the bonding of fiber-nano-matrix. In the same way
the 2 wt.% MMT clay based PLA-hybrid biocomposites
shows uneven surface, small voids, agglomeration, fiber
5 299 respectively. About 75% weight loss at 338, 342, 344 and
4
Weight Loss, mg
3 10% and 3500 C in 75%) when compared to other (A, A1 and
2 composition process. The similar enhancement was observed
1
0 The conducted water barrier properties of biocomposites
P A A1 A2 A3
Fig. 6 Abrasion resistance of biocomposites
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bending and fiber pullouts (Fig. 7c). The voids and agglom-
erations are formed due to higher load of MMT clay.
Addition of 3 wt.% MMT clay -PLA/TAF hybrid
biocomposites demonstrates more number of agglomera-
tions, micro-voids, fiber bending and pullouts (Fig. 7d)
These failure mechanisms of PLA- biocomposite and PLA-
hybrid biocomposites are confirmation for enhancement of
mechanical properties. For example, the adding of 1 wt.%
MMT clay -PLA/TAF hybrid biocomposite reveals superior
mechanical properties (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) which indicates
better bonding agent among by the sequence of fiber-nano-
matrix that leads to superior load transfer capacity (Fig. 7b).
3.3 Thermal Characterization or TGA Analysis
Thermal stability of PLA- biocomposite and PLA- hybrid
biocomposites were investigated by thermo gravimetric anal-
ysis (TGA). Figure 8 shows PLA-biocomposites and PLA-
hybrid biocomposites of the TGA curve. The hybridization
improved thermal stability of biocomposite as evidenced from
Thermo gravimetric curve. The 10 and 75% weight loss tem-
peratures [47] set as base line for analyzing thermal stability of
PLA-biocomposites and PLA-hybrid biocomposites. The T10
and T75% of PLA- hybrid biocomposite improved 295o C to
299o C and 338o C to 350o C (Table 2). The decomposition
takes place in three-stages. In the primary stage moisture evap-
oration occurred up to 150o C and in second phase due to
l i g n i n , c e l l u l o s e a n d h e m i c e l l u l o s e s . F i n a l l y,
depolymerisation of PLA, MMT clay takes place. The virgin
PLA thermal stability diminishes with adding of natural fiber.
Generally, common trend was the polymer thermal stability
decrement with adding of natural fiber [47, 64, 65]. For PLA-
biocomposite (A) and PLA- hybrid biocomposites (A1, A2
and A3) 10% mass loss were degraded at 295, 296, 299 and
350 respectively. For 10 and 75% weight loss the pure PLA
degrades at 327 and 3580 C respectively.
The 3 wt.% MMT contained PLA-hybrid biocomposite
(A3) exhibits highest decomposition temperature (2990 C in
A2). This enhancement takes place due to MMT clay; it acted
as barrier, constrained the mobility to chain and hinders de-
in previous studies [66–68]. The hybridization enhanced bet-
ter thermal stability of hybrid biocomposite.
3.4 Water Absorption Test
were displayed in Fig. 9. All samples absorption gain
percentage were finding with respect to submerging
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Fig. 7 SEM images of (a) A, (b) A1, (c) A2 and (d) A3 biocomposites

period. At the beginning period, the water absorption for
all samples are improved significantly and then reached to
equilibrium. The Fig. 9 demonstrates for all specimens
that, water gain percentage is increased with increasing
of submerging time. The virgin PLA water barrier proper-
ty decreased with adding of TAF.
However, the incorporation of MMT clay effectively raises
the water resistance for clay-filled TAF/PLA hybrid
120
biocomposites. The water resistance increased maximum with
continuous adding of MMT clay. This phenomenon attributed
because of fiber treatment and MMT clay presence in PLA/
TAF biocomposites; the clay act as barrier medium and it
restricts flow of water into biocomposites in all path way, thus
resultant in lower water uptake as described in the literature
[69–71]. As consider the effect of MMT clay on water resis-
tance of hybrid biocomposite, the 3 wt.% MMT contained
hybrid biocomposite (A3) exhibited excellent water resistance

100 Table 2 TGA Analysis

Weight loss, %

80 Sample Denotation Weight loss, Decomposition

P Temperature (o C)
60 A
A1 10% 75%
40
A2 PLA P 327 358
20
A3 PLA-30TAF A 295 338
0 PLA-30TAF-1MMT A1 296 342
100 200 300 400 500 600 700 750
PLA-30TAF-2MMT A2 299 344
Temperature ( ºC)
PLA-30TAF-3MMT A3 299 350
Fig. 8 TGA curve of biocomposites
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12
4 Conclusions
10
Water absorption, %

The effect of MMT clay on mechanical, thermal, physical

8
6 A
4
2 tance and biodegradability drastically enhanced with adding
0 thermal stability, water absorption properties are declined.
0 3 6 9 12 15 18
Time, Days
Fig. 9 Water absorption test of biocomposites
property than other bio and hybrid biocomposites. This could
be attributed due to the barrier effects of the MMT clay de-
creasing the water absorption. Similar examination was made
by Alarim et al. [72] and VP Sajna et al. [42].
3.5 Biodegradability Test
Biodegradability test of samples were performed without any
composting and enzymatic material through simple soil burial
(normal environment) investigation test [47]. All samples
weight loss percentages were finding with respect to burial
period time. Biodegradability of the hybrid biocomposites
are improved with burial test time. Figure 10 shows the rate
of biodegrability of PLA, PLA-biocomposite and PLA-
hybridbiocomposites with respect to time.
The virgin PLA biodegradability increased with adding
of TAF. The TAF/PLA (A) biocomposite demonstrates op-
timum biodegradability followed by pure-PLA and PLA-
hybrid biocomposites (P, A1, A2 and A3). However, the
incorporation of MMT clay negative effect on biodegrad-
ability properties for clay-filled TAF/PLA hybrid
biocomposites. The higher amount of MMT content leads
to agglomeration, it raised owing to attractive force be-
tween PLA and MMT. Similar examination was made by
M.S. Islam et al. [73]. However, the PLA- biocomposite
and PLA- hybrid biocomposites biodegradability increases
with increases of composting time.
8 ment in polylactic acid (PLA) composites. Compos Sci Technol 63:
7
6 silane treated- and untreated talc on the mechanical and
Weight loss, %
P barrier and biodegradable properties of TAF/PLA hybrid
biocomposites have been reported. The TAF at 30 wt.%-rein-
A1 forced biocomposites are developed with MMT clay loadings
A2 of 0, 1, 2 and 3 wt.%. The pure PLA modulus, abrasion resis-
A3
of TAF; however, the impact, flexural and tensile strengths,
21 24 27 30
MMT clay shows outstanding effect in enhancing mechanical,
thermal and barrier properties. The optimum content of MMT
clay is observed to be 1 wt% for mechanical properties. For
the PLA/TAF hybrid composites containing 1% MMT clay
(A1) the impact, flexural and tensile strength are increased
by 10.43, 6.08 and 5.72% respectively than PLA-
biocomposite (A); whereas the TAF/PLA (A) biocomposite
flexural and tensile modules are increased by 61.42 and
25.76% compared to neat- PLA (P). These remarkable im-
provements are due to well bonding among matrix- nano-fi-
ber, which is confirmed through SEM Analysis. The TAF/
PLA/1MMT hybrid biocomposite (A1) demonstrates superior
abrasion resistance than other biocomposites. However, the
tensile, flexural and impact strengths of TAF/PLA hybrid
biocomposites are negatively affected when excess MMT clay
is added. The biocomposites thermal stability significantly
increased trend with increase of MMT clay. The 3% MMT
clay based PLA/TAF hybrid biocomposites (A3) shows supe-
rior thermal stability than other (A, A1 and A2). From
Physical barrier and biodegradable results, higher content of
MMT clay minimizes the biodegradability rate and maximizes
the water resistance of hybrid biocomposites.
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