Abstract
Plasticized poly (lactic acid) (PPLA) was prepared by melt blending poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with 10 wt% of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG), with varied molecular weights range from 400 to 4000. The structure, thermal property, morphology, and surface free energy of the PPLA were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angles (CA). The resulting PPLA results indicated that the introduction of PEG to the blend systems resulted in a ductile fracture, a decrease in the melt temperature (Tm) and glass transfer temperature (Tg), and an increase in the degree of crystallization (χc), which indicated an improved flexibility. In addition, the polarity of the PPLA increased and the surface free energy decreased. The resulting PPLA was subsequently used as matrix to blend with wood flour to prepare composites. The mechanical strength, melting behavior, thermal stability, and microscopy of the PPLA/wood flour composites were also evaluated. These results illustrated that the plasticized PPLA matrix was beneficial to the interfacial compatibility between the polar filler and the substrate.
Highlights
In the past few decades, irreparable damages to the environment caused by petroleum-based polymers have led to increased attentions on the research and development of renewable and biodegradable polymer composites [1]
The structure, thermal property, morphology, and surface free energy of the PEG/ PLA blends (PPLA) were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angles (CA)
The resulting PPLA results indicated that the introduction of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to the blend systems resulted in a ductile fracture, a decrease in the melt temperature (Tm) and glass transfer temperature (Tg), and an increase in the degree of crystallization, which indicated an improved flexibility
Summary
In the past few decades, irreparable damages to the environment caused by petroleum-based polymers have led to increased attentions on the research and development of renewable and biodegradable polymer composites [1]. To reduce the cost of the biopolymers, efforts have been made to blend PLA with selected natural fibers[5]. Wood flour (WF), which is derived from natural resources, has many advantages such as various forms, large quantities, light, cheap, and renewable, and can be added to various matrices in considerable amounts, thereby providing economically favorable solutions [6,7,8,9]. The main problem of such composites is the poor adhesion to all major polymer matrices.
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