The microstructure of bio-polyester and poly(lactic acid) composites with date seed powder filler was characterized using rheology as well as microscopy. The poly(lactic acid) composites with filler fraction higher than 20% exhibited significant phase immiscibility, whereas corresponding polyester composites were relatively miscible. TEM and light microscopy characterization revealed presence of voids in the composites which were present around the filler particles as well as dispersed in the polymer matrix. The AFM analysis of the pure polymers also revealed the absence of these features thus confirming that these phenomena resulted from the incorporation of the filler in the polymers. Such features were opined to be resulting from the escape of date seed oil produced at high temperature during composite processing. The composites with 10% date seed powder content had lower extent of such voids and the morphology remained relatively unchanged with time. In composites with 30% date seed powder (DSP) content, in the seasoned sample, a soft and sticky phase resulting from the surface migration of date seed oil was also observed. The extent of the soft phase was higher in poly(lactic acid) composites probably due to the higher compounding temperature used to generate poly(lactic acid) composites. The migration of the oil to the surface was also confirmed by the IR and X-ray diffraction studies. The controlled component migration can lead to potential generation of commercially important self-lubricating composite materials.

Biopolymer�date seed powder composites: Miscibility, morphology, and component migration

246th National Meeting (2013)

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