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Luciana Andrea Castillo

Bio: Luciana Andrea Castillo is an academic researcher from Universidad Nacional del Sur. The author has contributed to research in topics: Talc & Nanocomposite. The author has an hindex of 11, co-authored 35 publications receiving 572 citations. Previous affiliations of Luciana Andrea Castillo include National Scientific and Technical Research Council.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed packaging bags from thermoplastic corn starch containing talc nanoparticles (0, 1, 3, 3 and 5% w/w) and evaluated the properties of these bags by tensile tests and quasi-static assays.

135 citations

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TL;DR: Nanocomposite films of thermoplastic corn starch with talc particles were obtained by thermo-compression in order to study the effect of filler on structure, optical, and thermal properties.

133 citations

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TL;DR: Castillo et al. as mentioned in this paper presented the Planta Piloto de Ingenieria Quimica (PIPI) for the first time, which was used in the construction of the PIPI.

59 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jun 2019-Heliyon
TL;DR: Talc incorporation did not require the adjustment of processing parameters in order to obtain a homogenous thermoplastic material, with an adequate particles distribution within the matrix, and Regardless talc presence, plasticized starch presented a Vh-type crystalline structure.

52 citations

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TL;DR: In this article, the influence of different talc morphologies on the final mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/talc composites was evaluated, and the results reveal that the main influences of talc morphology are given on modulus, yield strength and elongation at break of PP/talc composite composites.
Abstract: Injected polypropylene (PP)/talc composites were studied to evaluate the influence of different talc morphologies on their final mechanical properties. Talc genesis is responsible for type and content of associated minerals, crystalline degree, particle size distribution, and specially, morphology. Consequently, when talc is incorporated into PP, differences in the genesis mean differences in particle morphology and may influence the composite properties. Two talc samples having predominant macro and microcrystalline morphologies were used to prepare two composite sets to be tested. Thermal and mechanical properties of each PP/talc composites set were measured, analyzed and discussed comparatively. The results reveal that the main influences of talc morphology are given on modulus, yield strength and elongation at break of PP/talc composites. Macrocrystalline morphology of talc induces better composite mechanical properties than microcrystalline one. This behavior could be explained by talc characteristics as lamellarity, crystalline character and crystallinity degree.

48 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review highlights recent developments, current results and trends in the field of composites based on PLA, presents the main advances in PLA properties and reports selected results in relation to the preparation and characterization of the most representative PLA composites.

603 citations

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TL;DR: This review discusses various enhancement technologies such as the use of ultrasounds for in-process nanoparticles dispersion and of processing aspects to reach optimal properties for using nanocomposites in the selected applications.
Abstract: For the last decades, nanocomposites materials have been widely studied in the scientific literature as they provide substantial properties enhancements, even at low nanoparticles content. Their performance depends on a number of parameters but the nanoparticles dispersion and distribution state remains the key challenge in order to obtain the full nanocomposites’ potential in terms of, e.g., flame retardance, mechanical, barrier and thermal properties, etc., that would allow extending their use in the industry. While the amount of existing research and indeed review papers regarding the formulation of nanocomposites is already significant, after listing the most common applications, this review focuses more in-depth on the properties and materials of relevance in three target sectors: packaging, solar energy and automotive. In terms of advances in the processing of nanocomposites, this review discusses various enhancement technologies such as the use of ultrasounds for in-process nanoparticles dispersion. In the case of nanocoatings, it describes the different conventionally used processes as well as nanoparticles deposition by electro-hydrodynamic processing. All in all, this review gives the basics both in terms of composition and of processing aspects to reach optimal properties for using nanocomposites in the selected applications. As an outlook, up-to-date nanosafety issues are discussed.

514 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Property and numerous applications of chitosan-based compounds in drug delivery, gene delivery, cell encapsulation, protein binding, tissue engineering, preparation of implants and contact lenses, wound healing, bioimaging, antimicrobial food additives, antibacterial food packaging materials and antibacterial textiles are presented.

374 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
18 Jun 2015-Polymers
TL;DR: In this paper, the effect of different plasticizer types (glycerol (G), sorbitol (S), and glycerol-sorbitol (GS) combination) with varying concentrations (0, 15, 30 and 45, w/w%) on the tensile, thermal and barrier properties of sugar palm starch (SPS) films was evaluated.
Abstract: The use of starch based films as a potential alternative choice to petroleum derived plastics is imperative for environmental waste management. This study presents a new biopolymer (sugar palm starch) for the preparation of biodegradable packaging films using a solution casting technique. The effect of different plasticizer types (glycerol (G), sorbitol (S) and glycerol-sorbitol (GS) combination) with varying concentrations (0, 15, 30 and 45, w/w%) on the tensile, thermal and barrier properties of sugar palm starch (SPS) films was evaluated. Regardless of plasticizer types, the tensile strength of plasticized SPS films decreased, whereas their elongation at break (E%) increased as the plasticizer concentrations were raised. However, the E% for G and GS-plasticized films significantly decreased at a higher plasticizer concentration (45% w/w) due to the anti-plasticization effect of plasticizers. Change in plasticizer concentration showed an insignificant effect on the thermal properties of S-plasticized films. The glass transition temperature of SPS films slightly decreased as the plasticizer concentration increased from 15% to 45%. The plasticized films exhibited increased water vapor permeability values from 4.855 × 10−10 to 8.70 × 10−10 g·m−1·s−1·Pa−1, irrespective of plasticizer types. Overall, the current study manifested that plasticized sugar palm starch can be regarded as a promising biopolymer for biodegradable films.

310 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The main characteristics of PLA and starch in terms of not only the barrier and mechanical properties of their films but also of their combinations, by using blending or multilayer strategies, have been analyzed, identifying components or processes that favor the polymer compatibility and the good performance of the combined materials.
Abstract: The massive use of synthetic plastics, in particular in the food packaging area, has a great environmental impact, and alternative more ecologic materials are being required. Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and starch have been extensively studied as potential replacements for non-degradable petrochemical polymers on the basis of their availability, adequate food contact properties and competitive cost. Nevertheless, both polymers exhibit some drawbacks for packaging uses and need to be adapted to the food packaging requirements. Starch, in particular, is very water sensitive and its film properties are heavily dependent on the moisture content, exhibiting relatively low mechanical resistance. PLA films are very brittle and offer low resistance to oxygen permeation. Their combination as blend or multilayer films could provide properties that are more adequate for packaging purposes on the basis of their complementary characteristics. The main characteristics of PLA and starch in terms of not only the barrier and mechanical properties of their films but also of their combinations, by using blending or multilayer strategies, have been analyzed, identifying components or processes that favor the polymer compatibility and the good performance of the combined materials. The properties of some blends/combinations have been discussed in comparison with those of pure polymer films.

264 citations