In situ prepared poly(DL-lactic acid)/silica nanocomposites: Study of molecular composition, thermal stability, glass transition and molecular dynamics

The objective of the present study was to prepare a series of poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA) nanocomposites with four different amounts of silica (SiO2) nanoparticles (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 wt%), following a new two-step synthesis route: ring opening polymerization of DL-lactide and polycondensation. Effects of different percentage of SiO2 on various properties such as molecular weight, crystallinity, thermal stability, glass transition temperature...