Modification of the Mechanical Behavior in the Glass Transition Region of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) through Catalyzed Reactive Extrusion with Poly(carbonate) (PC)

Abstract

In order to improve the thermal stability of PLA based materials it was followed the strategy of blending it with a polymer having a higher glass transition temperature such as poly (carbonate) of bisphenol A (PC) . PLA/PC blends with different compositions were by melt extrusion produced also in the presence of an interchange reaction catalyst, tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate (TBATPB) and triacetin. The dynamical mechanical thermal characterization showed an interesting change of the storage modulus behavior in the PLA glass transition region, evident exclusively in the catalyzed blends. In particular, a new peak in the Tan δ trend at a temperature in between the one of PLA and the one of PC was observed only in the blends obtained in the presence of triacetin and TBATPB. The height and maximum temperature of the peak was different after the annealing of samples at 80°C. The data showed an interesting improvement of thermal stability above the PLA glass transition, this was explained keeping into account the formation of PLA-PC copolymer during the reactive extrusion. Furthermore, the glass transition temperature of the copolymer as a function of composition was studied and the obtained trend was discussed by comparing with literature models developed for copolymers.