Ternary Blends Research Articles

Dynamically vulcanized polylactic acid/natural rubber/waste rubber blends: Effect of the crosslinking agent on the morphology and tensile properties

AbstractPLA/natural rubber (NR)/wastes tire rubber (GTR) were dynamically vulcanizing using dicumyl peroxide (DCP). Swelling, dissolution, and electron microscopy revealed that the unvulcanized and weekly vulcanized blends (DCP < 3 wt%) show a continuous rubber phase while the highly vulcanized blends (DCP > 3 wt%) show co‐continuous rubber/PLA phase. In the latter blends, the tensile toughness (1.3 MJ m−3) and the tensile‐impact strength of the neat PLA (58 kJ m−2) were increased of a factor 12.5 and 8.3 respectively. Moreover, the appropriate crosslinking agent content (3–3.75 wt%) in the ternary blends allowed to reach same tensile toughness, impact strength, shape recovery and shape fixity as compared to their equivalent binary PLA/NR blends.

Analysis of sex pheromone production and field trapping of the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée) in Xinjiang, China

Identifying the sex pheromone systems of local pest populations facilitates their management, especially for moth species that show significant geographic variation in sex pheromone communication. We investigated the pheromone production and behavioral responses of the Asian corn borer (Ostrinia furnacalis Guenée; ACB) in Xinjiang, China. The ACB produces three compounds: (Z)-12-tetradecenyl acetate (Z12-14:Ac) and (E)-12-tetradecenyl acetate (E12-14:Ac) which are two sex pheromone compounds, and n-tetradecyl acetate (14:Ac) which has variable roles in mediating behavioral responses. The ratios of these three compounds produced in female gland are geographically distinct among different populations. Quantitative analysis of pheromone production showed that the proportions of Z12-14:Ac in the E/Z isomers (i.e., Z and E12-14:Ac) and the proportions of 14:Ac in the ternary blend respectively averaged 60.46% (SD=5.26) and 25.00% (SD=7.37), with their probabilities normally or near-normally distributed. Trapping experiments in a cornfield indicated that deploying the E/Z isomers and the three compounds in rubber septa close to their gland ratios yielded the most captured males, while other ratios that deviated from the gland ratios showed reduced field captures. The ternary blend was significantly more attractive to males than the E/Z isomers in the field, indicating a functional role of 14:Ac as the third pheromone component used by the local population. Additionally, the dose-response test demonstrated that the application of the three compounds at dosages between 200 and 350 μg attracted significantly more males compared to other dosages. Therefore, the characterization of this local ACB pheromone system provides additional information about its geographic variation and serves as a basis for optimizing the pheromone-mediated control of this pest in Xinjiang.

Ternary gasoline – Pomegranate peel oil (PPO)- tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) blend as an enabler to improve the spark-ignited engine performance and emissions

This paper reported a research work that investigated the compatibility of using pomegranate peel oil (PPO) as a substitute for gasoline in a spark-ignition engine. Initially, fuel characterization was performed for the PPO biofuel, and a blend was prepared by blending PPO in gasoline at a ratio of 10:90 by volume. Then, fuel properties were measured for the gasoline, PPO, and its blend. Subsequently, engine experiments were conducted for the blend at different load conditions with constant speed, and the performance, combustion, and emission results of the blend were compared with that of sole gasoline. By analyzing the results, it was found that the brake thermal efficiency of the 10% PPO blended gasoline was reduced by 1.2%, 0.6%, and 1%, at low load, mid load, and full load, respectively, when compared to sole gasoline. Whereas the HC and CO emission of the blend was higher by about 11.7% and 8.3%, respectively, at full load, when compared to that of gasoline. With an intent to improve the performance of the PPO blend, tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) was blended with the 10% PPO blended gasoline in the volumetric proportion of 5%, 10%, and 15% to form ternary blends. The experimental study revealed that the performance of the PPO blend was enhanced significantly with increasing TBA proportion in the blend. The PPO blend with 15% TBA exhibited the highest BTE of 25.1%, which was 1.6% higher than gasoline at full load. The same blend resulted in the HC and CO emissions that were 9.2% and 9.6% lesser than gasoline, respectively, whereas NO emission was 7.6% higher than gasoline, at full load condition. The combustion analysis revealed that the start of combustion was delayed, with peak pressure and heat release rate being the maximum for ternary blends. From this investigation, it can be concluded that the sole gasoline can be replaced by the ternary blend as fuel for SI engine operation without requiring any major engine modification.

Competition between polycrystalline morphology and microphase separation in blends based on cellulose triacetate

Polymer blends based on cellulose triacetate (CTA) modified with poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (PEO-PPO-PEO or EPE) and 1,1′‑diethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dibromide (viologen or VG) were employed to obtain nanostructured micrometric films. 3VG/CTA binary blend showed worm-like structure, which was disrupted by the addition of 5 wt% of VG as a consequence of higher partial miscibility between blend components of 3VG/CTA blend. The competition between the self-assembly ability of EPE triblock copolymer and the formation of CTA crystalline lamellae was responsible for the morphology of EPE/CTA binary blends. In the ternary blends, CTA matrix was partially miscible with both VG and PEO block of EPE triblock copolymer. AFM proved that the addition of the 3 and 5 wt% of VG into had a similar effect on the final morphology of ternary systems contained 5 and 10 wt% of EPE triblock copolymer. The obtained results confirm not only self-organization ability of EPE block copolymer but also of VG. In ternary blends, VG acted as nanostructuration agent leading to similar morphology using less content of EPE block copolymer. The results provided from this investigation work allowed to build the morphologies diagram to design CTA based blends with tuneable morphologies obtained playing with VG and EPE content.

Quantitative analysis of phase formation and growth in ternary mixtures upon evaporation of one component.

We perform a quantitative analysis of Monte Carlo simulation results of phase separation in ternary blends upon evaporation of one component. Specifically, we calculate the average domain size and plot it as a function of simulation time to compute the exponent of the obtained power law. We compare and discuss results obtained by two different methods, for three different models: two-dimensional (2D) binary-state model (Ising model), 2D ternary-state model with and without evaporation. For the ternary-state models, we study additionally the dependence of the domain growth on concentration, temperature and initial composition. We reproduce the expected 1/3 exponent for the Ising model, while for the ternary-state model without evaporation and for the one with evaporation we obtain lower values of the exponent. It turns out that phase separation patterns that can form in this type of systems are complex. The obtained quantitative results give valuable insights towards devising computable theoretical estimations of size effects on morphologies as they occur in the context of organic solar cells.

Ternary Blends for Self-Compacting Mortars Production Composed by Electric Arc Furnace Dust and Other Industrial by-Products.

This study is framed within the circular economy model through the valorisation of industrial by-products. This research shows the results of producing self-compacting mortars (SCMs) with electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) and other industrial by-products such as fly ash, conforming (FA) or not conforming (NcFA), from coal-fired power plants, or recovery filler (RF) from hot-mix asphalt plants. Three batches of SCMs, each with one industrial-by product (FA, NcFA, or RF), and three levels of EAFD ratio incorporation (0%, 10%, 20%), were tested. An extra batch with a greater amount of FA was manufactured. When the incorporation ratio of EAFD rose, the mechanical strength decreased, due to the presence of a calcium zinc hydroxide dihydrate phase; nevertheless, this decrease diminished over time. All SCM mixes, except the 40C 40FA 20 EAFD mix, were above 20 MPa at 28 days. All mixes named 70C and 40C reached 40 and 30 MPa, respectively, at 90 days. Mixes with EAFD showed less capillarity and no difference in water absorption by immersion with respect to mixes without EAFD after 91 days. The SCMs designed proved to be stable in terms of leaching of the heavy metals contained in EAFD, where all the hardened SCMs were classified as inert.

Microencapsulates of Stenocereus pruinosus Fermented Juice and Their Bioactive Compounds Using Maltodextrin, Gum Arabic, and Mesquite Gum as Carrier Agents

Pitaya (Stenocereus pruinosus) is a Mexican endemic and highly nutritive fruit, but it is very perishable. Juice contains high amounts of beneficial compounds, especially betalains; however, the viscosity, due to the mucilage, limits its use as pigment in foods. In order to obtain the pitaya pigments to be encapsulated, a simplex-lattice-design was used. Pitaya fermented juices were mixed with mesquite gum (MG), gum arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MDX) or their combinations (5% w/v) and then encapsulated by spray drying at an inner temperature of 160℃. Microcapsules were analyzed in color, bioactive compounds and some physicochemical characteristics. The results showed that three single agents and their combinations (binary and ternary) allowed the obtention of powders. The use of the simplex lattice design revealed the differences in the combination of carrier agents for encapsulation. All yields varied in the range of 64-84%. All powders had moisture content below 6% and water activity around 0.208. Powders showed a pale-red color (Hue and Chroma around 16 and 32, respectively). Powders with MG and GA had the highest red index values. The MG-GA combination retained the higher amount of betalains (3.28± 0.09 mg of total betalains/g powder, particularly betaxanthins). The phenolic compounds content of powders ranged from 8.01-10.77 mg Gallic acid equivalents/g powder and a maximum antioxidant activity of 15.05 mg Trolox equivalents/g powder, particularly the ternary blend (MG-GA-MDX). The antioxidant activity was dominated by other phenolic compounds rather than betalains. Microencapsulated pigments from red pitaya could be used as natural colorants in the food industry. However, further studies should be performed to estimate the potential use of powders as colorants in food systems.

Comments on “Elucidating the important thermo physical characterization properties of amine activated hybrid novel solvents for designing post-combustion CO2 capture unit”

• Published excess molar volumes are inconsistent with the experimental density data. • Reanalysis of the measured data for select blends indicates that V E should be negative and not positive as initially reported. • Guidelines are provided for quickly checking for obvious errors in calculated V E values. A polemic is provided regarding the volumetric properties reported in the published paper by Balchandani and coworkers. The published excess molar volumes of binary and ternary aqueous blends of amine activated hybrid novel solvents depicted in Figure 2 of the published paper and listed in Table S10 of the accompanying Supporting Information are not consistent with the measured density. The authors reported positive numerical values for the excess molar volumes, however, a reanalysis of the experiment data for select mixtures reveals that the excess molar volumes are negative.

Effects of supplementary cementitious materials on the durability of glass aggregate mortars

The durability performance and sustainability of concrete and mortar can be enhanced by incorporating supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as fly ash, slag (SG), silica fume (SF), and metakaolin (MK). In this study, binary and ternary blends of the aforementioned SCMs were investigated to determine an optimal combination that enhances the durability of glass aggregate mortars. Compressive strength, chloride permeability, and sorptivity experiments were conducted for all mixtures at specimen ages of 28 and 90 days. Fourteen day alkali silica reaction tests were also performed to determine the expansion properties. It was determined that ternary blends of fly ash and SF effectively mitigate expansions, with mixtures containing fly ash being most effective due to its high silica (SiO2) content. Ternary blends of SG and SF were also found to be successful in reducing permeability. In addition, it was determined that optimal durability performance can be achieved with 10% MK and SF replacements.

2D/1A ternary blend system enables non-fused ring electron acceptor based polymer solar cells with improved photovoltaic parameters

Non-fused ring electron acceptors (NFRAs), whose central skeletons are selected from simple aromatic rings, have been developed to be the promising candidates to maintain a rational balance between cost and performance. In this work, a 2D/1A ternary blend system, with polymers PM6 and PTQ10 as the two donor components and small molecular BDDEH-4F as the NFRA, was designed for polymer solar cells (PSCs). Comparing with power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 12.16% and 8.28% for the PM6 and PTQ10 based binary active layers, respectively, the optimized PM6:PTQ10:BDDEH-4F = 0.85:0.15:1 ternary active layer could show improved photovoltaic parameters, giving a higher PCE of 13.04%. Based on Flory-Huggins interaction parameter estimations, PTQ10 is more miscible to the NFRA if compared with PM6, and thus the addition of PTQ10 in the ternary active layer would tune the morphology. Enhanced exciton dissociation, suppressed trap-assisted recombination, higher and more balanced charge mobilities, and optimized morphology were achieved for the ternary blend system, finally contributing to the improved photocurrent and fill factor. Polymer PTQ10 is a notable low cost donor. Therefore, the 2D/1A ternary strategy should provide a ternary active layer with cost saving advantage. • 2D/1A ternary active layer for non-fused ring electron acceptor. • The ternary solar cells showing PCE of 13.04%, higher than 8.28–12.16% for binary solar cells. • The ternary active layer provides cost saving advantage.

Interchangeability of floral volatiles in ternary lure combinations for catching three cetoniin chafer species (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

AbstractIn behavioural field experiments, we aimed to study the interchangeability of molecular structures, which only differ by single hydrogen, hydroxyl or methyl group from components of a known attractant blend of the flower damaging Epicometis hirta (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), and two other cetoniin occasional pests Cetonia aurata aurata and Potosia cuprea, typical to the fauna of Central and Southern Europe. Rac. 1‐phenethyl alcohol or methyl eugenol (of the known attractant blend of rac. 1‐phenethyl alcohol, (E)‐anethol and methyl eugenol) were replaced with structurally similar floral compounds widespread among plant families in general. All baited treatments caught significantly more of the three species compared with the unbaited control. The ternary blend containing 2‐phenethyl alcohol caught numerically the most of the three species and gave a significant increase compared with the basic blend with rac. 1‐phenethyl alcohol for C. a. aurata and E. hirta. Benzyl alcohol performed similarly well to 2‐phenethyl alcohol in catching C. a. aurata and P. cuprea, and it was superior to the blend with phenylacetaldehyde. On the contrary, for E. hirta, the treatment containing phenylacetaldehyde was better than the combination with benzyl alcohol, resulting in a similar effect to the blend with 2‐phenethyl alcohol. In another experiment, the known ternary blend including methyl eugenol performed numerically the best in attracting E. hirta compared with the blends with eugenol or isoeugenol, which results are congruent with the earlier findings on C. a. aurata and P. cuprea. Our work resulted in a single optimized attractant combination for all three cetoniin species that includes 2‐phenethyl alcohol, methyl eugenol and (E)‐anethol.

Antimicrobial properties of biodegradable polymer based ternary blend for wastewater treatment

Biodegradable based ternary blends has good antimicrobial properties and it has been verified against gram / negative E. coli, Pseudomonas sp. aeruoginosa, and gram-positive Staphylococcus sp. S. aureus bacteria. The comparison of binary and ternary blended reveals that more inhibition zone efficiency is found for ternary blended. Chitosan/nylon 6/clay (1:1:2), (2:1:1) and (1:2:1) respectively were reported. The binary blends inhibition zone chitosan/clay (2:1) recorded the maximum zone of inhibition in comparison with the standard chloramphenicol against E. coli (39 mm), Pseudomonas sp. aeuroginosa (36 mm), followed by S.aureus (22 mm). Most of the polymer blends showed higher inhibitory activity against Gram-negative strains than the Gram-positive bacteria. The antifungal activity of the chitosan polymer blends is seen and this activity is more pronounced against fungi. The inhibition was stronger in the order of chitosan/nylon 6/clay (2:1:1) followed by Chitosan/nylon 6/clay (1:1:1) and (1:1:2) against Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and candida tropicalis. A higher inhibitory zone was recorded against Aspergillus niger (36 mm), Candida albicans (33 mm), and Candida tropicalis (36 mm) by chitosan/clay (2:1:1) when compared with standard amphoterecin B. Meanwhile Chitosan/nylon 6/clay (1:2:1) showed less activity. The present study is aimed to fetch the knowledge about the antimicrobial properties of biodegradable polymer based ternary blends in detail. Keywords: Chitosan; Nylon 6; Clay; Antimicrobial activity; Antifungal activity

Effects of concentration and chain length of the sequence copolymer on interfacial properties of homopolymers/sequence copolymers ternary blends: A DPD simulation study.

The effect of the concentration and chain length of the copolymer AB with sequence length τ = 8 on the interfacial properties of the ternary mixtures A10/AB/B10 are investigated by the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. It is found that: i) As the copolymer concentration varies from 0.05 to 0.15, increasing the copolymer enrichment at the center of the interface enlarges the interface width ω and reduces the interfacial tension. However, as the concentration of the sequence copolymers further increases to 0.2, because the interface has formed micelles and the micellization could lower the efficiency of copolymers as a compatibilizer, the interfacial tension exhibits a slightly increase; ii) elevating the copolymer chain length, the copolymer volumes vary from a cylinder shape to a pancake shape. The blends of the copolymer with chain length Ncp = 24 exhibit a wider interfacial width w and a lower interfacial tension γ, which indicates that the sequenced copolymer Ncp = 24 exhibits a better performance as the compatibilizers. This study illustrates the correlations between the reduction in interfacial tension produced by the sequence copolymers and their molecular parameters, which guide a rational design of an efficient compatibilizer.

Exergetic and exergoeconomic analyses of a diesel engine fueled with binary and ternary blends of diesel–palm oil biodiesel–diethyl ether for various injection timings

Exergetic and exergoeconomic analyses of a diesel engine fueled with binary and ternary blends of diesel–palm oil biodiesel–diethyl ether for various injection timings

Strength and microstructural properties of binary and ternary blends in fly ash-based geopolymer concrete

Carbon dioxide emissions and the consumption of natural resources related to the cement manufacturing have prompted the need to develop more sustainable and environmentally friendly types of concrete. Geopolymer concrete is considered eco-friendly concrete because it is free of cement. Otherwise, nanomaterials have been introduced into geopolymer concrete in previous works with the aim of improving its properties. However, very restricted studies have focused on the combined utilizing of nano-clay and nano-titanium in geopolymer concrete. Therefore, in the current research, geopolymer concrete was developed from industrial wastes (fly ash; FA) by using a novel mixture of different nanomaterials: nano-clay (NC) and nano-TiO2 (NT). Mixtures with constant water to FA (12 %), and different alkaline contents: (40 %, 45 %, and 50 %) by FA, were performed and divided into three groups. In the first group, only FA was used as a binder, meanwhile, a combination of (FA+NC) and (FA+NT) was used separately in group two (binary). In the third group, (FA+NC+NT) were mixed together (ternary). Several hardened tests have been investigated: compressive, tensile strengths and density. Also, microstructural characteristics were monitored using XRD and SEM tests. The findings revealed that the addition of nanomaterials obviously enhanced the density of the microstructure, reducing the pores of the produced geopolymer concrete. Moreover, the compressive strength was enhanced up to 38 % for NC, and 24 % for NT in the binary blends while the improvement reached 55 % in the ternary blends.

A practical manner to GTR recycling in waste-HDPE/ABS

Waste high-density polyethylene (w-HDPE)/ acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS)/ground tire rubber (GTR) have been melt blended by two-roll milling. Ternary blends of w-HDPE/ABS/GTR have been observed to be incompatible in the composition range studied which revealed in the deteriorated mechanical properties. Two main types of compatibilizers such as an experimental olefin-maleic anhydride copolymer based one synthesized by the authors and a commercial maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MA-g-PP) have been chosen for enhancing compatibility between the components ergo the mechanical properties. For characterizing tensile and impact properties of the blends mechanical tests have been carried out besides the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The most advantageous result in industrial practice can be that the experimental additive allows to apply higher GTR concentration ergo gives the opportunity to recycle higher level of GTR.

Effects of Na2CO3 on engineering properties of cement–limestone powder–slag ternary blends

Cement–limestone powder–slag ternary blends are construction materials that can significantly reduce carbon emissions and have a high potential for broad applications. This study investigated the effects of Na2CO3 on the engineering properties, hydration, and hydration products of cement–limestone powder–slag ternary blends. The compressive strength, ultrasonic velocity, and surface resistivity of ternary cement blends were determined. The exothermic process of paste hydration was monitored for 7 d. Furthermore, the hydration products at different stages were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetry analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results for the heat of hydration indicated that Na2CO3 accelerated the early hydration of the ternary blends. Adding Na2CO3 improved the 1 d compressive strength and surface resistivity of the cement paste. As the hydration progressed, Na2CO3 limited the compressive strength and ultrasonic velocity development of the ternary cement blends in the later stages. With an increase in the content, Na2CO3 reduced the calcium hydroxide inside the cement and increased the crystallinity of calcium carbonate. This study addresses the gap in existing literature regarding the use of Na2CO3 in cement–limestone powder–slag ternary blends. Furthermore, it presents new ideas for producing cement materials with a low carbon footprint and high durability.

Contrastive manipulations on vertical stratifications by a fluorescent guest component in ternary nonfullerene and fullerene organic solar cells

Herein, a simple fluorescent material TPA2O (5,5′-((4′-(diphenylamino)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-2,6-diyl)bis(methaneylylidene))bis(1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione)) is designed and successively introduced into both polymer:nonfullerene and polymer:fullerene blends to construct ternary organic solar cells with an inverted structure of ITO/ZnO/active layer/MoO3/Ag. Remarkably improved power conversion efficiency by up to 25% (from 9.21% to 11.47%) and sufficiently enhanced photocurrent (from 21.01 to 25.25 mA cm−2) are realized in nonfullerene ternary devices by incorporating a small amount of TPA2O, while reduced PCE is found in ternary fullerene systems. Characterizations have proven that efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) exists between TPA2O and the host PTB7-Th donor. And the distinguishable device performance in different ternary systems is determined by the contrastive influences on lateral and longitudinal direction morphologies. Specifically, by incorporating TPA2O, the cross-section morphology is degenerated in ternary fullerene blends but stable in ternary nonfullerene blends. More interestingly, for vertical-section morphology, PTB7-Th is more enriched in the upper layers in ternary nonfullerene blends, which is close to hole-transport MoO3 and inducing more efficient hole transport. Whereas PTB7-Th is less concentrated within the top layers in ternary PC71BM-based blends. Moreover, remarkably enhanced thermal stability is observed in TPA2O-based nonfullerene devices, with 94% of the initial PCE after baking at 80 °C for 144 h, compared to 75% and 62% of IEICO-4F and PC71BM binary devices, respectively.

Optimization of ternary blends among refined palm oil-hexanol-melaleuca cajuputi oil and engine emissions analysis of the blends

This study investigated the viscosity, density, and calorific value of refined palm oil-hexanol-melaleuca cajuputi oil ternary biofuel blends suitable for diesel engine applications and their influence on the exhaust emissions. The mixture design method was used to formulate the blend ratio and to determine the optimal biofuel blend before it was introduced to the engine. Analysis of variance was used to identify the mathematical correlation between the blend's ratio and its effect on viscosity, density, and calorific value. Three mathematical equations were developed to predict viscosity, density, and calorific value of the blends with R2 values of 0.9998, 0.9988, and 0.9619, respectively. Based on the mixture design method algorithm, the blend ratio of 35RPO50MCO15HX was found to have key properties comply with ASTM D6751 specification. This optimal blend demonstrated lower nitrogen oxides and smoke opacity emission than diesel fuel with maximum reduction of 56% and 42%, respectively. Carbon monoxides and unburned hydrocarbon emissions were increased at low load but decreased close to diesel fuel at higher engine loads.

Enhancement of the properties of poly(L-lactide)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends by introduction of stereocomplex polylactide crystallites

Herein, poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), and poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) were melt compounded by a low-temperature method to prepare ternary blends with balanced properties. Differential scanning calorimetry results and torque changes during melt blending confirmed that the stereocomplex polylactide (SC-PLA) crystallites were formed. Network structure composed of SC-PLA crystallites was formed when the PDLA content was 5 wt%, at which point the melts of the blend exhibited solid-like rheological behavior. The formation of SC-PLA crystallites increased the viscosity ratio between PLLA and PBAT melt, which led to an increase of the size of dispersed PBAT phase. Furthermore, the SC-PLA crystallites could greatly promote both nonisothermal and isothermal melt crystallization behaviors of PLLA/PBAT/PDLA ternary blends because of their effective heterogeneous nucleation effect. The ternary blend containing 2 wt% PDLA showed good toughness and had an elongation at break of 211% compared to the elongation at break of 3.5% for neat PLLA. These biodegradable blends showed excellent melt crystallization abilities as well as tailored rheological and mechanical properties, which could demonstrate their potential as traditional non-biodegradable plastic substitutes.