Poly(lactic acid) hemp composites combined with nano-silica

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-hemp composites have been prepared by impregnation of hemp woven fabric with PLA solution. Nano-silica was dispersed in the PLA solution to introduce a matrix reinforcing nano-phase within the composite. The nano-silica can bridge bewteen matrix PLA and hemp fibers, though their contribution to properties combines with the hemp fibers to produce high performance composites derived from natural resources. The thermal stability, morphology and mechanical performance of the composites demonstrated that the biocomposites produced are suitable for structural application where renewable resource and high performance are required.