Cation-mediated stratified architecture in Zeolite/PLA composite films for ethylene scavenging
Moreno, M. Sergio Piqueras, Cristian M. Agaliotis, Eliana Bertoli, C. Pereyra, Andrea M.
Moreno, M. Sergio
Piqueras, Cristian M.
Agaliotis, Eliana
Bertoli, C.
Pereyra, Andrea M.
Type
Artículo de publicación periódica
Abstract
The development of functional composite materials is crucial for applications demanding the combination of complementary properties to achieve an enhanced performance. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap in the 3D characterization of polylactic acid (PLA) composites by investigating the relationship between zeolite modification and resulting film architecture. Zeolite-PLA films with ethylene-scavenging properties were prepared via solvent casting in chloroform without plasticizers. While films with pristine LTA zeolite displayed high surface roughness and microscale heterogeneity, the incorporation of Ag+/Zn2+-exchanged zeolites (AZN@LTA) induced a novel, cation-mediated vertical stratification. In these films, silver and zinc mobility -facilitated by the chloroform solvent acting as a mild reducing agent-promoted particle aggregation and sedimentation. This asymmetric architecture resulted in an exchanged zeolite-rich bottom layer and a PLA-rich upper layer, enhances ethylene adsorption and uptake capacity because it minimizes polymer encapsulation of the exchanged zeolite particles, preserving sites available for gas adsorption. Consequently, the AZN@LTA/PLA composite exhibited a remarkable monolayer ethylene adsorption capacity of 133.4 μmol g−1. Despite the high filler loading, the stratified films maintained thermal stability (Tonset ≈ 354 °C) and mechanical stiffness (Young's modulus ≈ 2159 MPa) comparable to neat PLA.
Description
Date
2026-05-14
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Composites Science and Technology
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
EXCHANGED ZEOLITE A, POLYLACTIC ACID, 3D CHARACTERIZATION, THERMAL AND MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR, ETHYLENE-SCAVENGING
Citation
Ávila Ramírez, J. A., Moreno, M. S., Piqueras, C. M., Agaliotis, E., Bertoli, C., & Pereyra, A. M. (2026). Cation-mediated stratified architecture in zeolite/PLA composite films for ethylene scavenging. Composites Science and Technology, 282, 111699. DOI