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Flexible and high heat-resistant stereocomplex PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA blends prepared by melt process: effect of chain extension

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Abstract

Stereocomplex polylactides (scPLAs) are high-performance biodegradable bioplastics because they show better mechanical properties and heat-resistance than the poly(L-lactide) (PLLA). However, scPLAs retain low flexibility similar to that of PLLA. In this work, a flexible poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA) was melt blended with poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) before compression molding to form scPLA films. The effect of chain extension was investigated. Stereocomplexation of PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA blends improved with PDLA ratio. The thermal stability of both the blends with and without chain extension was improved by stereocomplex formation. The non-chain-extended blend films became very brittle when 40 wt% PDLA was blended. Chain extension enhanced the tensile properties of the blend films. Heat resistance of blend films was significantly improved when the PDLA ratio was increased up to 20 wt%. Dimensional stability to heat at 80 °C of the film samples confirmed the results of heat resistance. The melt-processed scPLA in this work may offer revolutionary improvements in flexible and high heat-resistant bioplastics.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Mahasarakham University (Grant no. 6105029) and The Center of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry (PERCH-CIC), Office of the Higher Education Commission, Ministry of Education, Thailand.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodegradable Polymers Research Unit, Department of Chemistry and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Tambon Khamrieng, Mahasarakham, 44150, Thailand

    Yodthong Baimark & Supasin Pasee

  2. National Metal and Materials Technology Centre (MTEC), 114 Thailand Science Park (TSP), Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand

    Wuttipong Rungseesantivanon & Natcha Prakymoramas

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  1. Yodthong Baimark
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  2. Supasin Pasee
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  3. Wuttipong Rungseesantivanon
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Correspondence to Yodthong Baimark.

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Baimark, Y., Pasee, S., Rungseesantivanon, W. et al. Flexible and high heat-resistant stereocomplex PLLA-PEG-PLLA/PDLA blends prepared by melt process: effect of chain extension. J Polym Res 26, 218 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-019-1881-7

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