Study of influence of organoclays on biodegradation process of PLA nanocomposites and its genotoxic and mutagenic effects

Author(s)

Patrícia Moraes Sinohara Souza

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Engenharia Química
• Defense date: 2013-04-23

Examining board members

Ana Rita Morales; Lúcia Helena Innocentini Mei; Silvia Pierre Irazusta

• Advisor: Maria Aparecida Marin Morales; Ana Rita Morales

Abstract

In this study, nanocomposites of PLA with organoclays Cloisite 20A and Cloisite 30B were prepared by the melt intercalation method. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The influence of organoclays in the biodegradation process of PLA was assessed by quantifying the rate of mineralization according to ISO 14855-2, in simulated composting conditions. The influence of clays on the hydrolytic degradation process of PLA was also investigated by visual analysis and monitoring of molecular weight after periods of 15 and 30 days of degradation in organic compost. Given the lack of information related to ecotoxicity of biodegradable polymers, the assessment of citotoxic, genotoxic and mutagenic effects of the organic compost, after the materials degradation, was carried out using the bioassay with Allium cepa as test organism. The nanocomposites presented an intercalated structure, evidenced by XRD analysis. The TEM micrographs allowed the observation of different dispersion levels, including exfoliated regions. After incorporation of organoclays, a reduction of thermal stability and an increasing in the degree of crystallinity of the PLA were observed by TGA and DSC analysis, respectively. In respect to the mineralization, it was noted that the clay Cloisite 20A showed no significant influence on the biodegradation of PLA. On the other hand, the clay Cloisite 30B led to decreased levels of mineralization compared to the polymer, which may be related to an antimicrobial activity of its modifying agent. In the evaluation of hydrolytic degradation it was verified that the presence of organoclays can decrease the rate of degradation possibly by the action of its layers as a barrier. Nevertheless, even in the case of nanocomposites, the molecular weight reduction was significant, indicating that the composting process is favorable to the chain scission of the polymer in the studied materials. In the analysis performed by the bioassay using the test organism Allium cepa, it was verified that after degradation of PLA and the nanocomposites, the organic compost showed an reduction of the mitotic index and an increasing in the induction of chromosomal abnormalities. These results were statistically significant in relation to negative control (distilled water). By comparing the results obtained for the nanocomposites in relation to pure polymer, there were no statistically significant differences. The types of chromosomal aberrations observed indicate a possible genotoxic effect of materials, which may be related to an aneugenic action of the degradation products of PLA (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/14250-3 - Study of influence of organoclays on biodegradation process of PLA nanocomposites and its genotoxic and mutagenic effects.
• Grantee: Patrícia Moraes Sinohara Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master