Abstract
Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) blends with different levels of chain extender were prepared and cast into films. The effect of chain extender on the mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of the films were investigated. With the inclusion of the chain extender, the compatibility and interfacial adhesion between the two polymer phases were significantly improved by a mean of forming a PLA–chain extender–PPC copolymer. Reactions between the chain extender, PLA and PPC were observed through FTIR study. SEM study also confirmed the improved compatibility and interfacial adhesion. The elongation at break of the compatibilized film with optimal amount of chain extender showed dramatic increase by up to 1940 %. DSC studies revealed that chain extender hindered the crystallization of the film which explained the decrease in both water and oxygen barrier when adding chain extender. PLA was found to be able to enhance both oxygen and water barrier of the blend as compared to neat PPC, while in the case of the blend with chain extender, oxygen and water barrier properties exhibited reduction at the beginning. However, when increasing chain extender concentration, these two barrier performance exhibited an upward trend. It was found that PLA/PPC blend showed much better oxygen barrier property than both parent polymers, which can be ascribed to the acceleration effect of PPC on the crystallization of PLA.
Highlights
Recent concerns over climate change have generated great interest in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG)
The mechanical property testing of the blend exhibited that 40PLA/60PPC blend could be considered as the optimal composition for film development taking into account the tensile strength and elongation
The morphology and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that the compatibility and interfacial adhesion between the polymers in the blend was significantly enhanced after loading Joncryl, which was caused by the formation of Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)–Joncryl–PPC copolymer through the reactions between Joncryl and PLA/ PPC component
Summary
Recent concerns over climate change have generated great interest in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG). Carbon dioxide (CO2), as one of the GHG, is considered to be the biggest contributor to climate change. The contribution that triggers global warming is reported to be about 66 % from CO2 [1]. In the past few decades, the rapid industrialization, population growth and the associated economic activities mainly in developing countries resulted in the emission of massive amount of CO2 to the atmosphere, causing global warming. The reduction of CO2 emission has become a major global target in recent years. In order to address this issue, great efforts are being made to capture and utilize CO2, besides reducing the emission
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