Abstract
Stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) films were prepared by melt blending of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) with and without an epoxy-based chain extender before compression molding. The obtained scPLA films were characterized through differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), tensile testing and dimensional stability to heat. XRD patterns revealed that all the scPLA films had only stereocomplex crystallites. The obtained results showed that the chain-extension reaction improved mechanical properties of the scPLA films, however, it suppressed stereocomplexation and heat resistance.
Highlights
Poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is one of the most well-known biodegradable bioplastics, because of its low toxicity, bio-renewability, biocompatibility and good processability [1,2,3,4]; it has limited application because of its poor heat resistance [5,6]
Stereocomplex polylactides prepared by blending between PLLA and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) have been widely investigated for use as high-performance bioplastics because the scPLA showed better mechanical properties, heat resistance and hydrolysis resistance compared to PLLA [7,8]
Stereocomplexation enhances the crystallization process of the scPLA, which improves its mechanical properties; for PLLA and PDLA, amorphous regions link among stereocomplex crystallites [12,13,14]
Summary
Poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is one of the most well-known biodegradable bioplastics, because of its low toxicity, bio-renewability, biocompatibility and good processability [1,2,3,4]; it has limited application because of its poor heat resistance [5,6]. Stereocomplex polylactides (scPLA) prepared by blending between PLLA and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) have been widely investigated for use as high-performance bioplastics because the scPLA showed better mechanical properties, heat resistance and hydrolysis resistance compared to PLLA [7,8]. The scPLA have faster crystallization and higher melting points than PLLA due to the stereocomplex crystallites having stronger intermolecular forces than the homo-crystallites [9,10,11]. Stereocomplexation enhances the crystallization process of the scPLA, which improves its mechanical properties; for PLLA and PDLA, amorphous regions link among stereocomplex crystallites [12,13,14]. The heat resistance of scPLA is higher than in PLLA, because of faster crystallization and higher melting temperature of stereocomplex crystallites
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