Abstract
The results of studies on the uncrosslinked fraction of blends of polylactide and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT) are presented. The blends were crosslinked by using the electron radiation and triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) at a concentration of 3 wt %. Two kinds of samples to be investigated were prepared: one contained 80 wt % PLA and the other contained 80 wt % PBAT. Both blends were irradiated with the doses of 10, 40, or 90 kGy. The uncrosslinked fraction was separated from the crosslinked one. When dried, they were subjected to quantitative analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements, an analysis of variations in the average molecular weight, and the determination of thermal properties. It was found that the electron radiation caused various effects in the studied samples, which depended on the magnitude of the radiation dose and the weight fractions of the components of the particular blends. This was evidenced by the occurrence of the uncrosslinked fractions of different amounts, a different molecular weight distribution, and the different thermal properties of the samples. It was also concluded that the observed effects were caused by the fact that the processes of crosslinking and degradation took place mostly in PLA, while PBAT appeared to be less susceptible to the influence of the electron radiation.
Highlights
Studies on the effects of electron radiation on the properties of conventional polymers are already being carried out and have been for many years [1]
The Ng values of the B samples are on the average a dozen or so percent larger than those of the L samples. This indicates a higher susceptibility of PLA to the radiation crosslinking in the presence of triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC) than that of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)
PLA/PBAT blends discussed in the present article may contribute to a better understanding of some phenomena occurring during the radiation treatment of the biodegradable polymers and their blends
Summary
Studies on the effects of electron radiation on the properties of conventional polymers are already being carried out and have been for many years [1]. The development of knowledge in this field as well as learning the new phenomena and consequences of the interaction of this radiation with polymer materials resulted in an increase in the number of novel applications of polymers and put the use of the industrial radiation treatment into a new perspective. Changes occurring in the molecular structure of the polymers are the most common effects of the treatment with electron radiation. They are caused by the formation of various kinds of ions and radicals in the materials being radiation modified. As a result of these processes and due to specified conditions of the radiation treatment, novel polymer materials of modified properties and new potential applications are being produced
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