Effect of Natural Glyceryl Tributyrate as Plasticizer and Compatibilizer on the Performance of Bio-Based Polylactic Acid/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Blends

Bio-based poly(lactic acid)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PLA/PHB) films were melt-blended with a natural hydrophobic plasticizer (glyceryl tributyrate, TB) at three different concentrations (10, 15 and 20% by weight per 100 parts of the blends) to study the effect of TB on the final properties of the ma...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of polymers and the environment 2019-07, Vol.27 (7), p.1429-1438
Main Authors: Iglesias Montes, M. L., D’amico, D. A., Manfredi, L. B., Cyras, V. P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aqueous solutions
Bacteria
Chemistry
Chemistry and Materials Science
Compatibilizers
CRYSTALS
DUCTILITY
ELONGATION
Environmental Chemistry
Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology
Formulations
Glass transition temperature
GLYCEROL
Hydrophobicity
Immiscibility
Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
LACTIC ACID
Material properties
MATERIALS SCIENCE
MECHANICAL TESTS
Miscibility
Mixtures
OPACITY
Original Paper
PACKAGING
PLASTICIZERS
Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate
Polyhydroxybutyrate
Polylactic acid
Polymer Sciences
Transition temperatures
Weight
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Summary:Bio-based poly(lactic acid)/poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PLA/PHB) films were melt-blended with a natural hydrophobic plasticizer (glyceryl tributyrate, TB) at three different concentrations (10, 15 and 20% by weight per 100 parts of the blends) to study the effect of TB on the final properties of the materials. The pursued aim was to obtain a material with potential use in the packaging industry. Two different PLA/PHB ratios were used, 70/30 and 60/40, respectively. A full characterization of the developed blends was carried out, including the morphological, thermal, mechanical and barrier properties. The thermal test revealed the immiscibility between PLA and PHB by showing two glass transition temperatures for the blends and biphasic melt. Mechanical tests showed the increased in the elongation at break as the plasticizer content in films increased. The incorporation of PHB crystals in the PLA matrix displayed an improvement in the water barrier properties of materials. Finally, formulations PLA/PHB-TB with 15 wt% of plasticizer presented the best combination of properties suitable for the intended use in films manufacturing, showing toughness and ductility, good water barrier properties and transparency with slightly amber color.
ISSN:1566-2543
1572-8919
DOI:10.1007/s10924-019-01425-y