Abstract
Effect of the blend ratios on the morphology and melt rheology of poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA) blends were investigated using scanning electron microscope, strain-controlled rheometer, and capillary rheometer techniques. The morphological analysis shows that the average radius of the dispersed droplets of PBSA particles increases with change in the blend composition, and a co-continuous structure was generated when PBSA content reached 40%. For the linear viscoelasticity, the increase in the storage modulus at low-frequency region was more distinct in PLA/PBSA blends than in their pure components. A second plateau is clearly observed when the PBSA content was 20% or higher. Weight relaxation spectra showed that there was a longer relaxation time for blend system. These relaxation times were considered to be the shape relaxation periods of the droplets, which increase with change in the blend composition. The interfacial tensions of the PLA/PBSA blends at different compositions were between 5.3 and 6.1 mN/m, calculated from the weighted relaxation spectra and slightly higher than those obtained from Palierne model. These values are relatively high, indicating the poor miscibility of the two polymers. Both pure PLA and PBSA follow the Cox–Merz rule, in good manner. Though, the rule does not satisfy with the PLA/PBSA blends. In addition, PLA/PBSA blends show more non-Newtonian tendencies than their pure components.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs13726-011-0009-7/MediaObjects/13726_2011_9_Fig1_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs13726-011-0009-7/MediaObjects/13726_2011_9_Fig2_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs13726-011-0009-7/MediaObjects/13726_2011_9_Fig3_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs13726-011-0009-7/MediaObjects/13726_2011_9_Fig4_HTML.gif)
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Liu H, Zhang J (2011) Research progress in toughening modification of poly(lactic acid). J Polym Sci Polym Phys 49:1051–1083
Garlotta D (2001) A literature review of poly(lactic acid). J Polym Environ 9:63–84
Auras R, Harte B, Selke S (2004) An overview of polylactides as packaging materials. Macromol Biosci 4:835–864
Semba T, Kitagawa K, Ishiaku US, Kotaki M, Hamada H (2007) Effect of compounding procedure on mechanical properties and dispersed phase morphology of poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone blends containing peroxide. J Appl Polym Sci 103:1066–1074
Tsuji H, Horikawa G, Itsuno S (2007) Melt-processed biodegradable polyester blends of poly(l-lactic acid) and poly(ε-caprolactone): effects of processing conditions on biodegradation. J Appl Polym Sci 104:831–841
Harada M, Iida K, Okamoto K, Hayashi H, Hirano K (2008) Reactive compatibilization of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(ε-caprolactone) blends with reactive processing agents. Polym Eng Sci 48:1359–1368
Sabet SS, Katbab AA (2009) Interfacially compatibilized poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone/organoclay nanocomposites with improved biodegradability and barrier properties: effects of the compatibilizer structural parameters and feeding route. J Appl Polym Sci 111:1954–1963
Jiang L, Wolcott MP, Zhang J (2006) Study of biodegradable polylactide/poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) blends. Biomacromolecules 7:199–207
Yeh JT, Tsou CH, Huang CY, Chen KN, Wu CS, Chai WL (2010) Compatible and crystallization properties of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends. J Appl Polym Sci 116:680–687
Li Y, Shimizu H (2007) Toughening of polylactide by melt blending with a biodegradable poly(ether)urethane elastomer. Macromol Biosci 7:921–928
Feng F, Ye L (2011) Morphologies and mechanical properties of polylactide/thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer blends. J Appl Polym Sci 119:2778–2783
Shibata M, Inoue Y, Miyoshi M (2006) Mechanical properties, morphology, and crystallization behavior of blends of poly(l-lactide) with poly(butylene succinate-co-l-lactate) and poly(butylene succinate). Polymer 47:3557–3564
Harada M, Ohya T, Iida K, Hayashi H, Hirano K, Fukuda H (2007) Increased impact strength of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate) blend composites by using isocyanate as a reactive processing agent. J Appl Polym Sci 106:1813–1820
Wang R, Wang S, Zhang Y, Wan C, Ma P (2009) Toughening modification of PLLA/PBS blends via in situ compatibilization. Polym Eng Sci 49:26–33
Palierne JF (1990) Linear rheology of viscoelastic emulsions with interfacial tension. Rheol Acta 29:204–214
Choi SJ, Schowalter WR (1975) Rheological properties of nondilute suspensions of deformable particles. Phys Fluids 18:420–427
Yokohara T, Yamaguchi M (2008) Structure and properties for biomass-based polyester blends of PLA and PBS. Eur Polym J 44:677–685
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 18:583–588
Ray SS, Bandyopadhyay J, Bousmina M (2007) Thermal and thermomechanical properties of poly[(butylene succinate)-co-adipate] nanocomposite. Polym Degrad Stab 92:802–812
Lee S, Lee JW (2005) Characterization and processing of biodegradable polymer blends of poly(lactic acid) with poly(butylene succinate adipate). Korea Aust Rheol J 17:71–77
Chen GX, Yoon JS (2005) Morphology and thermal properties of poly(l-lactide)/poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene adipate) compounded with twice functionalized clay. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 43:478–487
Wang R, Wang S, Zhang Y (2009) Morphology, rheological behavior, and thermal stability of PLA/PBSA/POSS composites. J Appl Polym Sci 113:3095–3102
Wang Y, Mano JF (2007) Biodegradable poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) blends: miscibility, morphology, and thermal behavior. J Appl Polym Sci 105:3204–3210
Bhadane PA, Champagne MF, Huneault MA, Tofan F, Favis BD (2006) Erosion-dependant continuity development in high viscosity ratio blends of very low interfacial tension. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 44:1919–1929
Xu X, Yan X, Zhu T, Zhang C, Sheng J (2007) Phase morphology development of polypropylene/ethylene-octene copolymer blends: effects of blend composition and processing conditions. Polym Bull 58:465–478
Diao J, Zhang J, Zhao Q, Yang H (2006) Mechanical properties and morphology of blends of hyperbranched polymer with polypropylene and poly(vinyl chloride). Iran Polym J 15:91–98
Chen P, Chen J, He J (2009) Suppressed coalescence of dispersed viscous poly(methyl methacrylate) phase in polystyrene matrix by glass beads. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 47:25–35
Sundararajs U, Macosko CW (1995) Drop breakup and coalescence in polymer blends: the effects of concentration and compatibilization. Macromolecules 28:2647–2657
Ho RM, Wu CH, Su AC (1990) Morphology of plastic/rubber blends. Polym Eng Sci 30:511–518
Kitayama N, Keskkula H, Paul DR (2000) Reactive compatibilization of nylon 6/styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer blends. Part 1. Phase inversion behavior. Polymer 41:8041–8052
Ferry JD (1980) Viscoelastic properties of polymers, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York
Gramespacher H, Meissner J (1992) Interfacial tension between polymer melts measured by shear oscillations of their blends. J Rheol 36:1127–1141
Bousmina M (1999) Effect of interfacial tension on linear viscoelastic behavior of immiscible polymer blends. Rheol Acta 38:251–254
Graebling D, Muller R, Palierne JF (1993) Linear viscoelastic behavior of some incompatible polymer blends in the melt. Interpretation of data with a model of emulsion of viscoelastic liquids. Macromolecules 26:320–329
Lacroix C, Aressy M, Carreau PJ (1997) Linear viscoelastic behavior of molten polymer blends: a comparative study of the Palierne and Lee and Park models. Rheol Acta 36:416–428
Wang W, Shangguan Y, Zhao L, Yu J, He L, Tan H, Zheng Q (2008) The linear viscoelastic behaviors of nylon 1212 blends toughened with elastomer. J Appl Polym Sci 108:1744–1754
Castro M, Prochazka F, Carrot C (2005) Cocontinuity in immiscible polymer blends: a gel approach. J Rheol 49:149–160
Bousmina M (1999) Rheology of polymer blends: linear model for viscoelastic emulsions. Rheol Acta 38:73–83
Honerkamp J, Weese J (1993) A nonlinear regularization method for the calculation of relaxation spectra. Rheol Acta 32:65–73
Sung YT, Han MS, Hyun JC, Kim WN, Lee HS (2003) Rheological properties and interfacial tension of polypropylene–poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) blend containing compatibilizer. Polymer 44:1681–1687
Taheri M, Morshedian J, Khonakdar HA (2011) Effect of compatibilizer on interfacial tension of SAN/EPDM blend as measured via relaxation spectrums calculated from Palierne and Choi–Schowalter models. Polym Bull 66:363–376
Yee M, Calvão PS, Demarquette NR (2007) Rheological behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)/polystyrene (PMMA/PS) blends with the addition of PMMA-ran-PS. Rheol Acta 46:653–664
Aravind I, Ahn KH, Ranganathaiah C, Thomas S (2009) Rheology, morphology, mechanical properties and free volume of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/polycarbonate blends. Ind Eng Chem Res 48:9942–9951
Wu D, Zhang Y, Yuan L, Zhang M, Zhou W (2010) Viscoelastic interfacial properties of compatibilized poly(ε-caprolactone)/polylactide blend. J Polym Sci Polym Phys 48:756–765
Palade LI, Lehermeier HJ, Dorgan JR (2001) Melt rheology of high l-content poly(lactic acid). Macromolecules 34:1384–1390
Ray SS, Bousmina M (2005) Poly(butylene sucinate-co-adipate)/montmorillonite nanocomposites: effect of organic modifier miscibility on structure, properties, and viscoelasticity. Polymer 46:12430–12439
Li S, Järvelä PK, Järvelä PA (1997) A comparison between apparent viscosity and dynamic complex viscosity for polypropylene/maleated polypropylene blends. Polym Eng Sci 37:18–23
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Showa High Polymer Co. Ltd., Japan, for kindly providing PBSA used in this study.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gui, Zy., Wang, Hr., Gao, Y. et al. Morphology and melt rheology of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene succinate adipate) blends: effect of blend compositions. Iran Polym J 21, 81–89 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-011-0009-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-011-0009-7