Plasticizer effect on melt blending of polylactide stereocomplex

Yottha Srithep, Dutchanee Pholharn
2017 E-Polymers  
Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(d-lactide) (50/50) with plasticizer contents ranging from 2% to 16% w/w were prepared by melt blending using an internal mixer. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry results confirmed that complete stereocomplex polylactide crystallites without any homocrystallites were produced. Compared to neat PLLA, the melting temperature of the stereocomplex polylactide and its plasticized samples was
more » ... tely 55°C higher. Higher plasticizer contents decreased glass transition temperature of the stereocomplex, which implied higher flexibility and enhanced the crystallization rate. However, the plasticizer in the stereocomplex reduced the thermal stability.
doi:10.1515/epoly-2016-0331 fatcat:kced4ovxzjcmhmgfk3wzgxayny