Poly(lactic acid)-Based in Situ Microfibrillar Composites with Enhanced Crystallization Kinetics, Mechanical Properties, Rheological Behavior, and Foaming Ability

• Published in: Biomacromolecules 2015-12, Vol.16 (12), p.3925-3935
• Main Authors: Kakroodi, Adel Ramezani, Kazemi, Yasamin, Ding, WeiDan, Ameli, Aboutaleb, Park, Chul B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Caprolactam - analogs & derivatives; Caprolactam - chemistry; Crystallization; Elasticity; Green Chemistry Technology; Kinetics; Lactic Acid - chemistry; Polyesters; Polymers - chemistry; Rheology; Tensile Strength
• ISSN: 1525-7797; 1526-4602
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01253

Melt blending is one of the most promising techniques for eliminating poly­(lactic acid)’s (PLA) numerous drawbacks. However, success in a typical melt blending process is usually achieved through the inclusion of high concentrations of a second polymeric phase which can compromise PLA’s green nature. In a pioneering study, we introduce the production of in situ microfibrillar PLA/polyamide-6 (PA6) blends as a cost-effective and efficient technique for improving PLA’s properties while minimizing the required PA6 content. Predominantly biobased products, with only 3 wt % of in situ generated PA6 microfibrils (diameter ≈200 nm), were shown to have dramatically improved crystallization kinetics, mechanical properties, melt elasticity and strength, and foaming-ability compared with PLA. Crucially, the microfibrillar blends were produced using an environmentally friendly and cost-effective process. Both of these qualities are essential in guarantying the viability of the proposed technique for overcoming the obstacles associated with the vast commercialization of PLA.