Unveiling the confined dispersion mechanism of nanomaterials by stereocomplex cross-linked networks in polylactic acid

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.01.067

Abstract

Abstract: Nanomaterials are extensively utilized in a multitude of sectors, but their propensity to aggregate can considerably diminish the efficacy of functional materials. A pivotal challenge in this domain is achieving a homogenous distribution of nanomaterials, which is essential for enhancing their performance while also reducing production costs. In this work, we achieve uniform and stable dispersion of various nanomaterials through the confinement effect generated by the stereocomplex cross-linked network formed by the combination of poly (L-lactic) acid and poly (D-lactic) acid. The unique confinement effect of polylactic acid (PLA) isomers is universal and significantly enhances the dispersion of nanomaterials in both PLA solutions and films. To demonstrate the efficacy of our approach, we disperse aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecules within PLA, which leads to the production of PLA films exhibiting improved fluorescence property. This work provides an effective solution for the preparation of nanocomposite materials that are both high-performing and cost-efficient.

Key words: Nanomaterials, Polylactic acid, Stereocomplex cross-linked networks, Confined dispersion

Xiaolong Su, Qingchun Pan, Yaling Zhai, Chao Jia, Jinqi Wang, Zhe Xu, Jiaxin Li, Jian Zhao, Hengxue Xiang, Xiaoding Wei, Meifang Zhu. Unveiling the confined dispersion mechanism of nanomaterials by stereocomplex cross-linked networks in polylactic acid[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2025, 235: 293-301.

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