Toughening of Poly(L-lactide) with Blends of Poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) in the Presence of Chain Extender.

Yaowalak Srisuwan,Supakij Suttiruengwong,Yodthong Baimark

doi:10.1155/2018/1294397

Yaowalak Srisuwan, Supakij Suttiruengwong + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1294397

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Abstract

A poly(ε-caprolactone-co-L-lactide) copolyester was synthesized and employed to toughen poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) by reactive melt blending in the presence of an epoxy-based chain extender. The effects of chain extension reaction and copolyester content on properties of PLLA-based blends were studied. The chain extension reaction reduced crystallinity and melt flow index of PLLA/copolyester blends. Meanwhile the copolyester blending improved the crystallinities of the chain-extended PLLA up to 20 wt% copolyester. The phase compatibility between PLLA matrix and dispersed copolyester phases was enhanced by the chain extension reaction. The impact strength of chain-extended PLLA increased with the contents of copolyester and chain extender.

Highlights

Poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is one of the most well-known biodegradable polymers that has attracted increasing interest for use in clinical applications such as drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and long-term implantable devices [1,2,3,4]
Thermal transitions including Tg, cold crystallization temperature (Tcc), and melting temperature (Tm) of the blends were determined from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves shown in Figures 2 and 3 to investigate the influences of Joncryl5 content and PLLA/copolyester blend ratio, respectively
The Tg and Tm of 60/40 (w/w) blends with different Joncryl5 contents were in the ranges 57–60∘C and 174–175∘C, respectively, indicating that the chain extension did not affect the amorphous region of the PLLA matrix in the blends

Summary

Introduction

Poly(L-lactic acid) or poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is one of the most well-known biodegradable polymers that has attracted increasing interest for use in clinical applications such as drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and long-term implantable devices [1,2,3,4]. This is due to its low toxicity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and processability [5,6,7]. The size and size distribution of the dispersed phase which depend on its compatibility should reach an optimum value in order to maximize the toughness of PLLA [16]

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