Abstract
Blends of polylactide (PLA) and recycled polypropylene (rPP) were prepared by melt-processing using a corotating twin-screw extruder and subsequent pelletizing of the extrudates for injection molding. The PLA/rPP blends were characterized by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), rheometer (MCR-102), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), tensile tests, and impact measurements. The results indicate that the PLA/rPP blend is immiscible and has a two-phase structure. TGA revealed enhancement of the thermal stability of the blends upon addition of rPP. The storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity of the blends increased with rPP concentration. Mechanical studies showed that introduction of rPP results in a decrease in tensile strength and modulus and enhancement of the impact strength of PLA in the blends. The effects of a silane coupling agent on the morphology and on the tensile and impact properties of the rPP blends of silane-modified PLA were also examined. SEM studies suggest that silane is an effective interfacial modifier. Thus, better interfacial adhesion was observed with silane-modified blends as compared with unmodified blends. Silane also improved the mechanical properties of the modified blends. The blends reached maximum tensile strength at 1.5 wt.% silane (relative to modified PLA content), and impact strength increased with increasing silane concentration. These results confirm the enhancing effect of silane on modified PLA/rPP blends.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Sinha Ray S, Bousmina M (2005) Biodegradable polymers and their layered silicate nanocomposites: in greening the twenty-first century materials world. Prog Mater Sci 50(8):962–1079. doi:10.1016/j.pmatsci.2005.05.002
Ojijo V, Sinha Ray S, Sadiku R (2012) Role of specific interfacial area in controlling properties of immiscible blends of biodegradable polylactide and poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate]. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 4(12):6690–6701. doi:10.1021/am301842e
He Y-S, Zeng J-B, Liu G-C, Li Q-T, Wang Y-Z (2014) Super-tough poly(l-lactide)/crosslinked polyurethane blends with tunable impact toughness. RSC Adv 4(25):12857–12866. doi:10.1039/C4RA00718B
Lee T-W, Jeong YG (2014) Enhanced electrical conductivity, mechanical modulus, and thermal stability of immiscible polylactide/polypropylene blends by the selective localization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Compos Sci Technol 103:78–84. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2014.08.019
Al-Itry R, Lamnawar K, Maazouz A (2012) Improvement of thermal stability, rheological and mechanical properties of PLA, PBAT and their blends by reactive extrusion with functionalized epoxy. Polym Degrad Stab 97(10):1898–1914. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.06.028
Gupta AP, Kumar V (2007) New emerging trends in synthetic biodegradable polymers – Polylactide: a critique. Eur Polym J 43(10):4053–4074. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2007.06.045
Bao R-Y, Jiang W-R, Liu Z-Y, Yang W, Xie B-H, Yang M-B (2015) Balanced strength and ductility improvement of in situ crosslinked polylactide/poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) blends. RSC Adv 5(44):34821–34830. doi:10.1039/C5RA02575C
Martin O, Averous L (2001) Poly(lactic acid): plasticization and properties of biodegradable multiphase systems. Polymer 42(14):6209–6219. doi:10.1016/s0032-3861(01)00086-6
Liu M-J, Chen S-C, Yang K-K, Wang Y-Z (2015) Biodegradable polylactide based materials with improved crystallinity, mechanical properties and rheological behaviour by introducing a long-chain branched copolymer. RSC Adv 5(52):42162–42173. doi:10.1039/C5RA04742K
Ebadi-Dehaghani H, Khonakdar HA, Barikani M, Jafari SH (2015) Experimental and theoretical analyses of mechanical properties of PP/PLA/clay nanocomposites. Compos Part B 69:133–144. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2014.09.006
Yao M (2011) Modification of poly(lactic acid)/poly(propylene carbonate) blends through melt compounding with maleic anhydride. Express Polym Lett 5(11):937–949. doi:10.3144/expresspolymlett.2011.92
Lin S, Guo W, Chen C, Ma J, Wang B (2012) Mechanical properties and morphology of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends compatibilized by transesterification. Mater Des 36:604–608. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2011.11.036
Kumar M, Mohanty S, Nayak SK, Rahail Parvaiz M (2010) Effect of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on the thermal, mechanical and morphological property of biodegradable PLA/PBAT blend and its nanocomposites. Bioresour Technol 101(21):8406–8415. doi:10.1016/j.biortech.2010.05.075
Sun Z, Zhang B, Bian X, Feng L, Zhang H, Duan R, Sun J, Pang X, Chen W, Chen X (2015) Synergistic effect of PLA-PBAT-PLA tri-block copolymers with two molecular weights as compatibilizers on the mechanical and rheological properties of PLA/PBAT blends. RSC Adv 5(90):73842–73849. doi:10.1039/C5RA11019J
Bian Y, Han C, Han L, Lin H, Zhang H, Bian J, Dong L (2015) Correction: toughening mechanism behind intriguing stress-strain curves in tensile tests of highly enhanced compatibilization of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) blends. RSC Adv 5(44):34908–34909. doi:10.1039/C5RA90033F
Jiang L, Wolcott MP, Zhang J (2006) Study of biodegradable Polylactide/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends. Biomacromolecules 7(1):199–207. doi:10.1021/bm050581q
Zhang K, Mohanty AK, Misra M (2012) Fully biodegradable and biorenewable ternary blends from polylactide, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) and poly(butylene succinate) with balanced properties. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 4(6):3091–3101. doi:10.1021/am3004522
Ogata N, Jimenez G, Kawai H, Ogihara T (1997) Structure and thermal/mechanical properties of poly(l-lactide)-clay blend. J Polym Sci B Polym Phys 35(2):389–396. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1099-0488(19970130)35:2<389::AID-POLB14>3.0.CO;2-E
Ploypetchara N, Suppakul P, Atong D, Pechyen C (2014) Blend of polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) for medical packaging application: physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. Energy Procedia 56:201–210. doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2014.07.150
Jariyasakoolroj P, Chirachanchai S (2014) Silane modified starch for compatible reactive blend with poly(lactic acid). Carbohydr Polym 106:255–263. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.02.018
Abdelwahab MA, Flynn A, Chiou BS, Imam S, Orts W, Chiellini E (2012) Thermal, mechanical and morphological characterization of plasticized PLA-PHB blends. Polym Degrad Stab 97(9):1822–1828. doi:10.1016/j.Polymdegradstab.2012.05.036
Ebadi-Dehaghani H, Khonakdar HA, Barikani M, Jafari SH, Wagenknecht U, Heinrich G (2014) An investigation on compatibilization threshold in the interface of polypropylene/polylactic acid blends using rheological studies. J Vinyl Addit Technol. doi:10.1002/vnl.21424
Ares A, Bouza R, Pardo SG, Abad MJ, Barral L (2010) Rheological, mechanical and thermal behaviour of wood polymer composites based on recycled polypropylene. J Polym Environ 18(3):318–325. doi:10.1007/s10924-010-0208-x
Wang K, Addiego F, Bahlouli N, Ahzi S, Rémond Y, Toniazzo V (2014) Impact response of recycled polypropylene-based composites under a wide range of temperature: effect of filler content and recycling. Compos Sci Technol 95:89–99. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2014.02.014
Madi NK (2013) Thermal and mechanical properties of injection molded recycled high density polyethylene blends with virgin isotactic polypropylene. Mater Des 46:435–441. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2012.10.004
Bonelli CMC, Martins AF, Mano EB, Beatty CL (2001) Effect of recycled polypropylene on polypropylene/high-density polyethylene blends. J Appl Polym Sci 80(8):1305–1311. doi:10.1002/app.1217
Kang H, Lu X, Xu Y (2015) Properties of immiscible and ethylene-butyl acrylate-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer compatibilized poly (lactic acid) and polypropylene blends. Polym Test 43:173–181. doi:10.1016/j.polymertesting.2015.03.012
Kim TW, Lee SY, Chun SJ, Doh GH, Paik KH (2011) Effect of silane coupling on the fundamental properties of wood flour reinforced polypropylene composites. J Compos Mater 45(15):1595–1605. doi:10.1177/0021998310385589
Chen X, Zhou L, Pan X, Hu J, Hu Y, Wei S (2016) Effect of different compatibilizers on the mechanical and thermal properties of starch/polypropylene blends. J Appl Polym Sci 133 (17):n/a-n/a. doi:10.1002/app.43332
Oyman ZO, Tincer T (2003) Melt blending of poly(ethylene terephthalate) with polypropylene in the presence of silane coupling agent. J Appl Polym Sci 89(4):1039–1048. doi:10.1002/ap.12228
Altun Y, Dogan M, Bayramli E (2013) Effect of alkaline treatment and pre-impregnation on mechanical and water Absorbtion properties of pine wood flour containing poly (lactic acid) based green-composites. J Polym Environ 21(3):850–856. doi:10.1007/s10924-012-0563-x
Imre B, Pukánszky B (2013) Compatibilization in bio-based and biodegradable polymer blends. Eur Polym J 49(6):1215–1233. doi:10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2013.01.019
Sis ALM, Ibrahim NA, Yunus WMZW (2013) Effect of (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane on mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT blend reinforced kenaf fiber. Iran Polym J 22(2):101–108. doi:10.1007/s13726-012-0108-0
Rachini A, Mougin G, Delalande S, Charmeau JY, Barrès C, Fleury E (2012) Hemp fibers/polypropylene composites by reactive compounding: improvement of physical properties promoted by selective coupling chemistry. Polym Degrad Stab 97(10):1988–1995. doi:10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2012.03.034
Lv SS, Tan HY, JY G, Zhang YH (2015) Silane modified wood flour blended with poly(lactic acid) and its effects on composite performance. Bioresources 10(3):5426–5439
Wang YL, Qi RR, Xiong C, Huang M (2011) Effects of coupling agent and interfacial modifiers on mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) and wood flour Biocomposites. Iran Polym J 20(4):281–294
Zhang K, Nagarajan V, Misra M, Mohanty AK (2014) Supertoughened renewable PLA reactive multiphase blends system: phase morphology and performance. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6(15):12436–12448. doi:10.1021/am502337u
Qiu J, Guan J, Wang H, Zhu S, Cao X, Ye QL, Li Y (2014) Enhanced crystallization rate of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) by polyoxymethylene (POM) fragment crystals in the PLLA/POM blends with a small amount of POM. J Phys Chem B 118(25):7167–7176. doi:10.1021/jp412519g
Choudhary P, Mohanty S, Nayak SK, Unnikrishnan L (2011) Poly(L-lactide)/polypropylene blends: evaluation of mechanical, thermal, and morphological characteristics. J Appl Polym Sci 121(6):3223–3237. doi:10.1002/app.33866
Bledzki AK, Jaszkiewicz A, Scherzer D (2009) Mechanical properties of PLA composites with man-made cellulose and abaca fibres. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 40(4):404–412. doi:10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.01.002
Yuan H, Liu ZY, Ren J (2009) Preparation, characterization, and foaming behavior of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-butylene terephthalate) blend. Polym Eng Sci 49(5):1004–1012. doi:10.1002/pen.21287
Garlotta D (2001) A literature review of poly(lactic acid). Journal of polymers and the. Environment 9(2):63–84. doi:10.1023/A:1020200822435
Kang H, Qiao B, Wang R, Wang Z, Zhang L, Ma J, Coates P (2013) Employing a novel bioelastomer to toughen polylactide. Polymer 54(9):2450–2458. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2013.02.053
Fang H, Jiang F, Wu Q, Ding Y, Wang Z (2014) Supertough polylactide materials prepared through in situ reactive blending with PEG-based diacrylate monomer. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 6(16):13552–13563. doi:10.1021/am502735q
Xu Y, Loi J, Delgado P, Topolkaraev V, McEneany RJ, Macosko CW, Hillmyer MA (2015) Reactive Compatibilization of Polylactide/polypropylene blends. Ind Eng Chem Res 54(23):6108–6114. doi:10.1021/acs.iecr.5b00882
Naffakh M, Díez-Pascual AM, Marco C (2016) Polymer blend nanocomposites based on poly(l-lactic acid), polypropylene and WS2inorganic nanotubes. RSC Adv 6(46):40033–40044. doi:10.1039/c6ra05803e
Inoya H, Wei Leong Y, Klinklai W, Takai Y, Hamada H (2012) Compatibilization of recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) and polypropylene blends: effect of compatibilization on blend toughness, dispersion of minor phase, and thermal stability. J Appl Polym Sci 124(6):5260–5269. doi:10.1002/app.34385
Zeng J-B, Li K-A, A-K D (2015) Compatibilization strategies in poly(lactic acid)-based blends. RSC Adv 5(41):32546–32565. doi:10.1039/c5ra01655j
Yoo TW, Yoon HG, Choi SJ, Kim MS, Kim YH, Kim WN (2010) Effects of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties and interfacial tension of polypropylene and poly(lactic acid) blends. Macromol Res 18(6):583–588. doi:10.1007/s13233-010-0613-y
Acknowledgments
Financial supports from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) 104-2623-E-011-004-IT and the facilities supports from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) are acknowledged.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abay, A.K., Gebeyehu, M.B., Lin, H.K. et al. Preparation and characterization of poly(lactic acid)/recycled polypropylene blends with and without the coupling agent, n-(6-aminohexyl)aminomethyltriethoxysilane. J Polym Res 23, 198 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-016-1091-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-016-1091-5