Tailoring Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) Properties: Effect of the Impact Modifiers EE-g-GMA and POE-g-GMA.

Edson Antonio Dos Santos Filho,Eduardo Da Silva Barbosa Ferreira,Danilo Diniz Siqueira,Edcleide Maria Araújo,Carlos Bruno Barreto Luna

doi:10.3390/polym14010136

Edson Antonio Dos Santos Filho, Eduardo Da Silva Barbosa Ferreira + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010136

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Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Dec 30, 2021
Citations: 14	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade Federal de Campina Grande

Abstract

Poly(ethylene-octene) grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (POE-g-GMA) and ethylene elastomeric grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (EE-g-GMA) were used as impact modifiers, aiming for tailoring poly(lactic acid) (PLA) properties. POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA was used in a proportion of 5; 7.5 and 10%, considering a good balance of properties for PLA. The PLA/POE-g-GMA and PLA/EE-g-GMA blends were processed in a twin-screw extruder and injection molded. The FTIR spectra indicated interactions between the PLA and the modifiers. The 10% addition of EE-g-GMA and POE-g-GMA promoted significant increases in impact strength, with gains of 108% and 140%, respectively. These acted as heterogeneous nucleating agents in the PLA matrix, generating a higher crystallinity degree for the blends. This impacted to keep the thermal deflection temperature (HDT) and Shore D hardness at the same level as PLA. By thermogravimetry (TG), the blends showed increased thermal stability, suggesting a stabilizing effect of the modifiers POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA on the PLA matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed dispersed POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA particles, as well as the presence of ligand reinforcing the systems interaction. The PLA properties can be tailored and improved by adding small concentrations of POE-g-GMA and EE-g-GMA. In light of this, new environmentally friendly and semi-biodegradable materials can be manufactured for application in the packaging industry.

Highlights

With new technologies and new product development, there is more and more concern about the environmental impacts that these materials can cause
Elastomeric ethylene graphted with glycidyl methacrylate (EE-g-GMA), supplied by Coace® Plastic (Xiamen, China), flow index (FI) = 3–8 g/10 min (190 ◦C/2.16 kg), containing up to 0.8% of GMA
It was found that the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) can be tailored by adding small concentrations of EE-gGMA and POE-g-GMA, generating promising eco-friendly materials

Summary

Introduction

With new technologies and new product development, there is more and more concern about the environmental impacts that these materials can cause. In this context, polymeric commodity materials have drawn attention because they are derived from petroleum, since they have high resistance to degradation. Polymeric commodity materials have drawn attention because they are derived from petroleum, since they have high resistance to degradation As a consequence, they can contribute significantly to the accumulation of waste in natural ecosystems, and increase pollution [1,2,3]. Research has advanced toward the development of new eco-friendly materials using “green” technology, targeting materials that favor a closed life cycle, such as biopolymers and biodegradable polymers. Biodegradable polymers are those that undergo degradation from the action of microorganisms in environments that are considered bioactive [7,8]

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