Abstract
Polymerized soybean oil (polySOY) and isotactic poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) were melt blended to increase the toughness of PLLA in an all renewable blend. The polySOY samples were prepared by crosslinking soybean oil by the addition of a free radical crosslinking agent or by heating the oil in the presence of oxygen. Soybean oil is relatively nonreactive compared to other vegetable oils, and conjugation of the double bonds within the fatty acid chains of the soybean oil triglyceride prior to crosslinking led to significantly increased reactivity. Poly(isoprene-b-L-lactide) block copolymers were used to compatibilize the blends due to the high degree of immiscibility between PLLA and polySOY. The blending of polySOY and PLLA resulted in significant improvements in the tensile toughness of the blend compared to neat PLLA. The blend morphology was dependent on the polySOY gel fraction or weight-average molar mass; the polySOY characteristics were key indicators of the tensile toughness.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
