Abstract
A multifunctional PLA blend with shape memory, fluorescence and improved toughness is prepared via reactive compounding of a multifunctional prepolymer (GSE) with PLA in the absence of an external catalyst. GSE is synthesized by glycerol-mediated bulk polymerization of succinic anhydride and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether, and its self-crosslinking reaction taking place during compounding introduces an elastomeric polymer dispersed in the PLA matrix. The transesterification at the interface compatibilizes the PLA blend resulting in significantly improved toughness. Moreover, the resulting PLA blend exhibits strong fluorescence, and the fluorescence intensity of the PLA blend with 40% GSE is stronger than that of neat crosslinked GSE. The PLA blend also exhibits an excellent shape memory property, explained by the improved toughness for larger deformation and the crosslinked GSE-rich phase for the storage of internal stress induced by deformation. This work introduces a new preparation method for a smart PLA material with improved toughness, strong fluorescence, and shape memory by simple melt compounding of PLA and a multifunctional modifier (GSE).
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