Short communicationInfluence of nano-graphite platelet concentration on onset of crystalline degradation in polylactide composites

Nano-carbon fillers offer enhanced thermal and mechanical properties to biodegradable polymer matrices. In this work, we study extruded nano-graphite platelet (NGP) loaded polylactide (PLA) using thermal, mechanical, and microstructural analysis techniques. The influence of NGP loading on polymer crystallization, the Young's modulus, tensile strength, and crystallography of the polymer composite are determined. We establish the optimal NGP loading concentration beyond which agglomeration effects degrade crystalline and structural properties of PLA-NGP composites.