Hydrolytic stability of polylactide and poly(methyl methacrylate) blends

ABSTRACT The hydrolytic stability of polylactide/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) blends prepared using a twin‐screw extrusion process was investigated. The effects of hydrolysis were monitored in neutral and alkaline media at 80 °C by tracking the changes in molecular weight distribution, weigh...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2018-03, Vol.135 (11), p.n/a
Main Authors: Rodriguez, Edwin, Shahbikian, Shant, Marcos, Bernard, Huneault, Michel A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
biopolymers and renewable polymers
blends
Crystallization
Degradation
Electron microscopy
Erosion mechanisms
Extrusion
Hydrolysis
Materials science
Mixtures
Molecular weight distribution
Polymers
Polymethyl methacrylate
Recrystallization
Structural stability
Weight loss
Weight reduction
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Summary:ABSTRACT The hydrolytic stability of polylactide/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PLA/PMMA) blends prepared using a twin‐screw extrusion process was investigated. The effects of hydrolysis were monitored in neutral and alkaline media at 80 °C by tracking the changes in molecular weight distribution, weight loss, water uptake, and crystallization behavior. The crystallinity of PLA in blends prior to hydrolysis was shown to be largely hindered by the presence of PMMA. However, PLA recrystallized rapidly during hydrolysis. The PMMA in the blends was shown to provide increased hydrolytic and structural stability to the blends. In the neutral medium, the presence of PMMA delayed and reduced the weight loss but did not significantly affect PLA degradation kinetics. On the other hand, in the alkaline medium, the weight loss rate was strongly decreased in presence of PMMA and the kinetics of degradation was shown to be depend on PMMA content. The microstructure of these blends throughout the hydrolysis process was also examined by scanning electron microscopy. A porous structure, with interconnected pores in the 20–50 nm range, was developed due to the selective removal of PLA. Based on these morphological observations, erosion mechanism of PLA/PMMA blends was discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45991.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.45991