scholarly journals Analysis of the Degradation During Melt Processing of PLA/Biosilicate® Composites

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo H. Backes ◽  
Laís de N. Pires ◽  
Lidiane C. Costa ◽  
Fabio R. Passador ◽  
Luiz A. Pessan

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)/bioactive composites are emerging as new biomaterials since it is possible to combine stiffness, mechanical resistance, and bioactive character of the bioglasses with conformability and bioabsorption of the PLA. In this study, PLA/Biosilicate® composites were prepared using a melt-processing route. The processability and properties were evaluated aiming to produce composites with bioactive properties. Two different PLA (PLA 2003D and PLA 4043D) were tested with the addition of 1 wt. % of Biosilicate®. Both materials presented a huge reduction in melt viscosity after internal mixer processing. The degradation effects of the addition of Biosilicate® in the PLAs matrices were evaluated using zeta potential tests that showed a very high liberation of ions, which catalyzes PLA thermo-oxidative reactions. To understand the extension of degradation effects during the processing, the composites were characterized using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and rheological tests. GPC results showed that PLA with the lowest residual acid content (RAC), PLA 2003D, presented higher thermal stability, higher molecular weight, and viscosity baseline compared to PLA 4043D. The composites showed a significant decrease in molecular weight for both PLA with the addition of Biosilicate®. TGA results showed that Biosilicate® might have reduced the activation energy to initiate thermodegradation reactions in PLAs and it occasioned a reduction in the Tonset by almost 40 °C. The DSC results showed that severe matrix degradation and the presence of bioglass did not significantly affect glass transition temperature (Tg), melting temperature (Tm) and crystallinity of PLAs, but it influenced cold crystallization peak (Tcc). In this way, the type of PLA used influences the processability of this material, which can make the production of filaments of this material for 3D printing unfeasible.

2013 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 392-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genny E. Keefe ◽  
Jean-d'Amour K. Twibanire ◽  
T. Bruce Grindley ◽  
Michael P. Shaver

A family of polymer stars has been prepared from early generation dendritic cores with four, six, and eight arms. Four dendritic cores were prepared from the sequential reaction of a multifunctional alcohol with a protected anhydride, followed by deprotection to afford two or three new alcohol functionalities per reactive site. These cores were used as initiators for the tin-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and rac-lactide to afford isotactic and atactic degradable stars, respectively. Two series of stars were prepared for each monomer, either maintaining total molecular weight or number of monomer units per arm. The polymers were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, light-scattering gel-permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our results support previous work that suggests that the length of the arms dictates thermal properties rather than the total molecular weight of the star. Little effect was noted between aromatic and aliphatic cores, presumably due to the flexibility of the rest of the core molecule. We have shown that early generation dendrimers can serve as excellent core structures for building core-first polymer stars via the ring-opening of cyclic esters.


2013 ◽  
Vol 747 ◽  
pp. 148-152
Author(s):  
Chaichana Piyamawadee ◽  
Duangdao Aht-Ong

High molecular weight PLA was successfully synthesized by chain extension reaction of hydroxylated prepolymer using succinic anhydride as a chain extender. Hydroxylated prepolymer was prepared by direct condensation polymerization of L-lactic acid in the presence of 1,4-butanediol. Various molar ratios between hydroxylated prepolymer and succinic anhydride (i.e, 1:1, 1:2, 1:3) were investigated. The results showed that succinic anhydride can help increasing molecular weight of hydroxylated prepolymer approximately up to 47% as characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) was used to investigate structure of chain-extended PLA. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to examine thermal properties while the crystallinity was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD).


2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell R. Perry ◽  
Michael P. Shaver

This study presents the synthesis and physical characterization of a series of structurally well-defined star-shaped poly(lactic acids). Polymer stars are prepared from a series of multifunctional alcohol cores including flexible polyols pentaerythritol and dipentaerythritol (four-armed and six-armed cores, respectively) and rigid substituted arenes tri(hydroxymethyl)benzene and hexa(hydroxymethyl)benzene. Utilizing a tin(II) octanoate catalyst, arms of 10 monomer units long are built from rac-lactide and l-lactide to form atactic and isotactic star polymers. Polymers were subsequently characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Our results support previous work that suggests that the length of the individual arms, not the total molecular weight, correlates to physical characteristics including glass, melt, crystallization, and decomposition temperatures. In addition, differences between core molecules suggest that the chemical nature of the core can significantly alter the physical properties of the star polymer. Trends in crystallization and glass transition temperatures relative to the core used merit further study and correlate closest to the molecular weight and the number of arms emanating from the star core. It is also clear that the rigidity provided by aromatic cores has a significant effect on the melting temperatures of these macromolecules.


2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 665-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yottha Srithep ◽  
Wuttipong Rungseesantivanon ◽  
Bongkot Hararak ◽  
Krisda Suchiva

Abstract Currently, use of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is limited for commercial applications because it has a low heat resistance. In this research, an increase of over 40°C heat distortion temperature (HDT) of PLA alloy was obtained by blending PLA with polycarbonate (PC) and a chain extender (CE). Molecular weight, thermal, mechanical and morphological properties of PLA and PC blend with different CE contents were investigated. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) results showed that some PLA-PC copolymers were produced and the compatibility of the PLA phase and in the PC phase was improved via the chain extension reaction. In addition, the reaction induced by CE also affected the crystallization behaviors of PLA, as observed from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results and the enthalpy of melting of PLA decreased with increasing CE content. The combined effects of the CE increasing molecular weight, improving compatibility and limiting the crystallization behavior of PLA/PC alloy greatly improved the HDT.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingxun Liu ◽  
Tongxin Wang ◽  
Laurence C. Chow ◽  
Mingshu Yang ◽  
James W. Mitchell

Addition of filler to polylactic acid (PLA) may affect its crystallization behavior and mechanical properties. The effects of talc and hydroxyapatite (HA) on the thermal and mechanical properties of two types of PLA (one amorphous and one semicrystalline) have been investigated. The composites were prepared by melt blending followed by injection molding. The molecular weight, morphology, mechanical properties, and thermal properties have been characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), instron tensile tester, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). It was found that the melting blending led to homogeneous distribution of the inorganic filler within the PLA matrix but decreased the molecular weight of PLA. Regarding the filler, addition of talc increased the crystallinity of PLA, but HA decreased the crystallinity of PLA. The tensile strength of the composites depended on the crystallinity of PLA and the interfacial properties between PLA and the filler, but both talc and HA filler increased the toughness of PLA.


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yani Luo ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Derong Luo ◽  
Qingliang You ◽  
Zifeng Yang ◽  
...  

A novel tandem catalysis system consisted of salicylaldiminato binuclear/mononuclear titanium and 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron complexes was developed to catalyze ethylene in-situ copolymerization. Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) with varying molecular weight and branching degree was successfully prepared with ethylene as the sole monomer feed. The polymerization conditions, including the reaction temperature, the Fi/Ti molar ratio, and the structures of bi- or mononuclear Ti complexes were found to greatly influence the catalytic performances and the properties of obtained polymers. The polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), high temperature gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and high temperature 13C NMR spectroscopy, and found to contain ethyl, butyl, as well as some longer branches. The binuclear titanium complexes demonstrated excellent catalytic activity (up to 8.95 × 106 g/molTi·h·atm) and showed a strong positive comonomer effect when combined with the bisiminopyridyl Fe complex. The branching degree can be tuned from 2.53 to 22.89/1000C by changing the reaction conditions or using different copolymerization pre-catalysts. The melting points, crystallinity and molecular weights of the products can also be modified accordingly. The binuclear complex Ti2L1 with methylthio sidearm showed higher capability for comonomer incorporation and produced polymers with higher branching degree and much higher molecular weight compared with the mononuclear analogue.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujal Bhattacharjee ◽  
Dilpreet S. Bajwa

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based composites are biodegradable; their disposal after single use may be needless and uneconomical. Prodigal disposal of these composites could also create an environmental concern and additional demand for biobased feedstock. Under these circumstances, recycling could be an effective solution, since it will widen the composite service life and prevent the excessive use of natural resources. This research investigates an in-depth impact of recycling on the mechanical and thermomechanical properties of oak wood flour based PLA composites. Two composite formulations (30 and 50 wt% filler), each with 3 wt% coupling agent (PLA-g-MA), were produced and reprocessed six times by extrusion followed by injection molding. Measurements of fiber length and molecular weight of polymer were, respectively, carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tools were used to study morphological and molecular alterations. With consecutive recycling, PLA composites showed a gradual decrease in strength and stiffness properties and an increase in strain properties. The 50% and 30% filler concentration of fibers in the composite showed an abrupt decrease in strength properties after six and two reprocessing cycles, respectively.


Author(s):  
Juan Villavicencio ◽  
Ferley Orozco ◽  
Ricardo Benitez ◽  
Jaime Martin ◽  
Giovanni Rojas

Polyesters of xylitol and succinic acid were prepared yielding from 70 to 75% by enzymecatalyzed esterification using a molar mass from 1:1 to 2:5 at 120 and 140 °C employing from 1 to 10% m/m of enzyme. Control over branching degree was achieved by tuning the reaction conditions (temperature, time, comonomer ratio, enzyme content). This one-step process from renewable starting materials avoids protection-deprotection techniques, as well as the use of toxic solvents by introducing limonene as solvent for polyesterification for the first time. All materials were structurally characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)spectroscopy, their thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the molecular weight of samples were obtained by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC).


Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcin Borowicz ◽  
Joanna Paciorek-Sadowska ◽  
Marek Isbrandt ◽  
Łukasz Grzybowski ◽  
Bogusław Czupryński

The article concerns the use of glycerolysis reaction as an alternative method of processing post-production and post-consumer waste from poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Management of waste is a very important issue from an environmental protection and economic point of view. Extending the “life cycle” of PLA is extremely important because it allows to make the most of this material. It also limits economic losses resulting from its disposal in the biodegradation process at the same time. This paper presents a method of glycerolysis of poly(lactic acid) waste using various amounts of anhydrous glycerol (mass ratio from 0.3 to 0.5 parts by weight of glycerol per 1.0 part by weight of PLA). This process was also carried out for pure, unmodified PLA Ingeo® (from NatureWorks) to compare the obtained results. The six liquid oligomeric polyhydric alcohols were obtained as a result of the synthesis. Then, they were subjected to physicochemical tests such as determination of color, smell, density, viscosity, and pH. In addition, the obtained raw materials were subjected to analytical tests such as determination of the hydroxyl value, acid value, water content, and elemental composition. The average molecular weights and dispersity were also tested by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The assumed chemical structure of the obtained compounds was confirmed by spectroscopic methods such as FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR. Glycerolysis products were also subjected to differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine thermal parameters. The obtained research results have allowed the precise characterization of newly obtained products and determination of their suitability, e.g., for the synthesis of polyurethane (PUR) materials.


2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (9) ◽  
pp. 897-909
Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Weijun Zhen ◽  
Yufang Zhou

Abstract Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was synthesized using a green catalyst, nano-zinc oxide (ZnO). The optimum synthesis conditions of PLA were as follows: a stoichiometric amount of 0.5 wt% of nano-ZnO, polymerization time of 14 h, and polymerization temperature of 170°C. Gel permeation chromatography results showed that the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) of PLA was 13,072 g/mol with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.7. Furthermore, PLA-α-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds (PLA-CD-ICs) were prepared by ultrasonic co-precipitation techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the change in lattice of α-CD from a cage configuration to a tunnel structure and the existence of some physical interactions between α-CD and PLA in the PLA-CD-ICs. To enhance the crystallization properties of PLA, PLA/PLA-CD-IC composites were blended with different contents of PLA-CD-ICs as nucleating agents. The crystallization behavior and comprehensive performance were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to PLA, the crystallinities of PLA/PLA-CD-IC composites were increased by 24.0%, 26.3%, 27.3%, and 31.8%. The results of all the analyses proved that PLA-CD-ICs were useful as green organic nucleators and improved the comprehensive performance of PLA materials.


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