Poly(lactic acid)/coplasticized thermoplastic starch blend: Effect of plasticizer migration on rheological and mechanical properties

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Esmaeili ◽  
Gholamreza Pircheraghi ◽  
Reza Bagheri ◽  
Volker Altstädt
2013 ◽  
Vol 781-784 ◽  
pp. 467-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siriruck Kalapakdee ◽  
Thirawudh Pongprayoon ◽  
Kasinee Hemvichian ◽  
Phiriyatorn Suwanmala ◽  
Wararat Kangsumrith

This research aims to determine the influences of radiation-induced crosslinking on the mechanical properties of polymer blends between poly (lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS). PLA and TPS were mixed at different ratios (90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40) in the presence of a crosslinking agent using a twin screw extruder. The blends were compression molded into films. The film samples were irradiated by gamma radiation at different doses. Gel fraction was used to determine crosslinking efficiency. Results showed that gamma radiation was able to induce crosslinking for PLA/TPS blends. The gel fraction and mechanical properties decreased with increasing TPS content. The optimum ratio of PLA:TPS with the maximum gel fraction and mechanical properties was 90:10 and the optimum dose was 40 kGy by gamma radiation.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 578
Author(s):  
Carolina Caicedo ◽  
Heidy Lorena Calambás Pulgarin

In this work, we present a functionalization strategy of starch-poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends with organic acids. Lactic and acetic acid were used as acid agents, and oleic acid was also included in the previous acids, with the aim of finding a synergy that thermodynamically benefits the products and provides hydrophobicity. The ratio of starch and sorbitol was 70:30, and the added acid agent replaced 6% of the plasticizer; meanwhile, the thermoplastic starch (TPS)–PLA blend proportion was 70:30 considering the modified TPS. The mixtures were obtained in a torque rheometer at 50 rpm for 10 min at 150 °C. The organic acids facilitated interactions between TPS and PLA. Although TPS and PLA are not miscible, PLA uniformly dispersed into the starch matrix. Furthermore, a reduction in the surface polarity was achieved, which enabled the wettability to reach values close to those of neat PLA (TPS–L-PLA increased by 55% compared to TPS–PLA). The rheological results showed a modulus similar to that of TPS. In general, there were transitions from elastic to viscous, in which the viscous phase predominated. The first and second-order thermal transitions did not show significant changes. The structural affinity of lactic acid with biopolymers (TPS–L-PLA) allowed a greater interaction and was corroborated with the mechanical properties, resulting in a greater resistance with respect to pure TPS and blended TPS–PLA (28.9%). These results are particularly relevant for the packaging industry.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Marianne Ayumi Shirai ◽  
Juliano Zanela ◽  
Fabio Yamashita

<p><em>Thermoplastic starch and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends have been studied as potential materials for the production of biodegradable packaging. However due to the hydrophilic characteristic of starch and hydrophobic nature of PLA, these polymers are incompatible at microscopic level and this fact interfere significantly in the mechanical properties of the obtained materials. Several compatibilizer have been investigated to improve the compatibility between these polymers, including carboxylic acids. Thus, this study evaluated the mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch and PLA sheets added of citric and adipic acids produced by flat extrusion (calendaring-extrusion) and stored at different relative humidity. The sheets containing citric acid were thinner, more resistant and showed higher values of elongation at break. The relative humidity of storage interfered significantly in the mechanical properties, possibly due to the plasticizing effect of water. Citric acid was an additive which improved the mechanical properties of the starch and PLA sheets produced by flat extrusion. Furthermore, it is important to control the relative humidity of storage to not alter the mechanical properties of the starch based blends.</em></p><p>DOI: 10.14685/rebrapa.v5i2.164</p><p><em><br /></em></p>


Author(s):  
Jipeng Guo ◽  
Chi-Hui Tsou ◽  
Yongqi Yu ◽  
Chin-San Wu ◽  
Xuemei Zhang ◽  
...  

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Sixiang Zhai ◽  
Qingying Liu ◽  
Yuelong Zhao ◽  
Hui Sun ◽  
Biao Yang ◽  
...  

With the depletion of petroleum energy, the possibility of prices of petroleum-based materials increasing, and increased environmental awareness, biodegradable materials as a kind of green alternative have attracted more and more research attention. In this context, poly (lactic acid) has shown a unique combination of properties such as nontoxicity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good workability. However, examples of its known drawbacks include poor tensile strength, low elongation at break, poor thermal properties, and low crystallization rate. Lignocellulosic materials such as lignin and cellulose have excellent biodegradability and mechanical properties. Compounding such biomass components with poly (lactic acid) is expected to prepare green composite materials with improved properties of poly (lactic acid). This paper is aimed at summarizing the research progress of modification of poly (lactic acid) with lignin and cellulose made in in recent years, with emphasis on effects of lignin and cellulose on mechanical properties, thermal stability and crystallinity on poly (lactic acid) composite materials. Development of poly (lactic acid) composite materials in this respect is forecasted.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
Han-Seung Ko ◽  
Sangwoon Lee ◽  
Doyoung Lee ◽  
Jae Young Jho

To enhance the mechanical strength and bioactivity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to the level that can be used as a material for spinal implants, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) fibers and hydroxyapatite (HA) were introduced as fillers to PLA composites. To improve the poor interface between HA and PLA, HA was grafted by PLA to form HA-g-PLA through coupling reactions, and mixed with PLA. The size of the HA particles in the PLA matrix was observed to be reduced from several micrometers to sub-micrometer by grafting PLA onto HA. The tensile and flexural strength of PLA/HA-g-PLA composites were increased compared with those of PLA/HA, apparently due to the better dispersion of HA and stronger interfacial adhesion between the HA and PLA matrix. We also examined the effects of the length and frequency of grafted PLA chains on the tensile strength of the composites. By the addition of unidirectionally aligned PGA fibers, the flexural strength of the composites was greatly improved to a level comparable with human compact bone. In the bioactivity tests, the growth of apatite on the surface was fastest and most uniform in the PLA/PGA fiber/HA-g-PLA composite.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2531
Author(s):  
Rodion Kopitzky

Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a residue available in large quantities from the sugar industry, and can serve as a cost-effective bio-based and biodegradable filler for fully bio-based compounds based on bio-based polyesters. The heterogeneous cell structure of sugar beet suggests that the processing of SBP can affect the properties of the composite. An “Ultra-Rotor” type air turbulence mill was used to produce SBP particles of different sizes. These particles were processed in a twin-screw extruder with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and fillers to granules for possible marketable formulations. Different screw designs, compatibilizers and the use of glycerol as a thermoplasticization agent for SBP were also tested. The spherical, cubic, or ellipsoidal-like shaped particles of SBP are not suitable for usage as a fiber-like reinforcement. In addition, the fineness of ground SBP affects the mechanical properties because (i) a high proportion of polar surfaces leads to poor compatibility, and (ii) due to the inner structure of the particulate matter, the strength of the composite is limited to the cohesive strength of compressed sugar-cell compartments of the SBP. The compatibilization of the polymer–matrix–particle interface can be achieved by using compatibilizers of different types. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) fracture patterns show that the compatibilization can lead to both well-bonded particles and cohesive fracture patterns in the matrix. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties are limited by the impact and elongation behavior. Therefore, the applications of SBP-based composites must be well considered.


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