Abstract
Stereocomplex polylactides (scPLAs) are high-performance biodegradable bioplastics because they show better mechanical properties and heat-resistance than the poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). However, scPLAs retain low flexibility similar to that of PLLA. In this work, a flexible poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA) was melt blended with poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) before compression molding to form scPLA films. The effect of chain extension was investigated. Stereocomplexation of PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA blends improved with PDLA ratio. The thermal stability of both the blends with and without chain extension was improved by stereocomplex formation. The non-chain-extended blend films became very brittle when 40 wt% PDLA was blended. Chain extension enhanced the tensile properties of the blend films. Heat resistance of blend films was significantly improved when the PDLA ratio was increased up to 20 wt%. Dimensional stability to heat at 80 °C of the film samples confirmed the results of heat resistance. The melt-processed scPLA in this work may offer revolutionary improvements in flexible and high heat-resistant bioplastics.
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