Enhanced thermal and mechanical properties of PLA/MoS2 nanocomposites synthesized via the in-situ ring-opening polymerization

In this work, MoS 2 nanosheets were employed to reinforce PLA. In order to promote the homogeneous dispersion of MoS 2 in PLA and form a strong interface between MoS 2 and PLA, the MoS 2 nanosheets were firstly modified by mercapto-ethylamine, and then functionalized with PLA chains through ring-opening polymerization of poly( l -lactide). The XRD, XPS, TGA and 1 H NMR characterizations confirmed the successful amino and PLA functionalization of MoS 2 nanosheets. The obtained MoS 2 -g-PLA nanosheets were then introduced to reinforce PLA. SEM images displayed that the MoS 2 -g-PLA nanosheets were dispersed in PLA matrix uniformly. TGA results showed that initial decomposition temperature was improved from 275.6 °C to 334.8 °C with 0.5 wt% of MoS 2 -g-PLA nanosheets. The storage modulus of PLA/MoS 2 -g-PLA-0.5 wt% in the glass state and rubber state were both greatly enhanced compared with neat PLA.