High Impact Polylactide Based on Organosilicon Nucleation Agent

• Published in: Chinese journal of polymer science 2024-06, Vol.42 (6), p.787-797
• Main Authors: Pakuła, Daria, Sztorch, Bogna, Romańczuk-Ruszuk, Eliza, Marciniec, Bogdan, Przekop, Robert E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composite materials; Condensed Matter Physics; Impact strength; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Injection molding; Nucleation; Organosilicon compounds; Polylactic acid; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Polysilsesquioxanes; Research Article; Rheological properties; Rheology; Tensile strength; Thermodynamic properties
• ISSN: 0256-7679; 1439-6203
• DOI: 10.1007/s10118-024-3095-7

Various sectors of the industry are searching for new materials with specific requirements, providing improved properties. The study presents novel composite materials based on polylactide that have been modified with the organosilicon compound, (3-thiopropyl) polysilsesquioxane (SSQ-SH). The SSQ-SH compound is a mixture of cage structures and not fully condensed random structures. The composite materials were obtained through injection moulding. The study includes a comprehensive characterization of the new materials that analyze their functional properties, such as rheology (MFR), mechanical strength (tensile strength, Charpy impact strength), and thermal properties. SEM microscopic photos were also taken to analyze the microstructure of the samples. The addition of a 5% by-weight organosilicon compound to polylactide resulted in a significant increase in MFR by 73.8% compared to the neat polymer. The greatest improvement in impact strength was achieved for the 5% SSQ-SH/PLA composite, increasing it by 32.0 kJ/m 2 compared to PLA, which represents an increase of up to 187%. The conducted research confirms the possibility of modifying the properties of the polymer by employing organosilicon compounds.