Dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties of bamboo-polylactic acid bionanocomposites

The aim of this study was to develop bamboo fiber/polylactic acid/Cloisite 30B nanoclay-based laminated hybrid composites using the film-stacking method. The nanoclay was dispersed in polylactic acid using intermeshing twin-screw extruder and converted into polylactic acid-nanoclay films. Polylactic acid/nanoclay/bamboo fiber hybrid composites were fabricated using temperature-controlled compression molding machine. The dielectric properties were analyzed as a function of frequency (100 Hz-1 MHz) for temperatures in the range from 30AC to 140AC using standard impedance analyzer. Dielectric constant and dissipation factor decreased with increasing frequency for both virgin bamboo-polylactic acid composite and bamboo-polylactic acid nanocomposites. Significant improvement in impact strength of bamboo-polylactic acid nanocomposites was observed as compared to virgin bamboo-polylactic acid composites. The morphology of bamboo-polylactic acid nanocomposites was investigated using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.