Maleic anhydride (MAH) was used as the grafting monomer, which was prepared by melt grafting reaction in the twin screw extruder with dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the initiator, polylactic acid grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH-g-PLA) was successfully prepared as the interface compatibilizer. The PLA/Wood fiber/MAH-g-PLA composites were prepared by melt blending and injection molding with different proportions of compatibilizer added, within which PLA was for the matrix phase and wood fiber was for the reinforcing phase. The crystallinity, microstructure, thermal stability and dynamic thermomechanical property of the composites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMA). Furthermore, the mechanical and water absorption properties of the composites were also characterized. Results showed that the tensile strength and flexural strength of the composites attained the highest at 30% MAH-g-PLA added, where the crystallinity of the composites also showed the highest value. DMA results showed that the addition of MAH-g-PLA interfacial compatibilizer increased the loss modulus of the composites and improved the toughness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that when the MAH-g-PLA was used, wood fiber is well dispersed in the PLA matrix phase, and that the interfacial compatibility between the matrix and the enhanced phase was improved. Therefore, the addition of MAH-g-PLA could improve the interfacial compatibility of PLA/Wood fiber composites and improve the mechanical properties of the composites.

As a biodegradable elastomer, poly(1,8-octanediolco-citrate) (POC) has been widely applied in tissue engineering and implantable electronics. However, the unclear degradation mechanism has posed a great challenge for the better application and development of POC. To reveal the degradation mechanism, here, we present a systematic investigation into in vivo and in vitro degradation behaviors of POC. Initially, critical factors, including chemical structures, hydrophilic and water-absorbency characteristics, and degradation reaction of POC, are investigated. Then, various degradation-induced changes during in vitro degradation of POC-x (POC with different cross-linking densities) are monitored and discussed. The results show that (1) cross-linking densities exponentially drop with degradation time; (2) mass loss and PBSabsorption ratio grow nonlinearly; (3) the morphology on the cross-section changes from flat to rough at a microscopic level; (4) the cubic samples keep swelling until they collapse into fragments from a macro view; and (5) the mechanical properties experience a sharp drop at the beginning of degradation. Finally, the in vivo degradation behaviors of POC-x are investigated, and the results are similar to those in vitro. The comprehensive assessment suggests that the in vitro and in vivo degradation of POC occurs primarily through bulk erosion. Inflammation responses triggered by the degradation of POC-x are comparable to poly(lactic acid), or even less obvious. In addition, the mechanical evaluation of POC in the simulated application environment is first proposed and conducted in this work for a more appropriate application. The degradation mechanism of POC revealed will greatly promote the further development and application of POC-based materials in the biomedical field.

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Rutting is a common and serious phenomenon in asphalt pavement especially in high temperature areas. Phase change material (PCM) can adjust temperature through storing and releasing thermal energy during phase change process and has been used in thermal energy storage areas and building materials. However, the use of PCM to regulate the temperature of asphalt pavement has not been widely studied. In this paper, the feasibility of temperature self-control asphalt pavement using PCM was studied for preventing rutting. The temperature-control mechanism of asphalt pavement with PCM has been presented. The selection criteria of PCM used in asphalt pavement have been made. Meanwhile, a paraffin/expanded graphite shape-stabled phase change material with a phase change temperature range of 40°C~50°C has been used in this study. The temperature rising test of asphalt concrete showed that sample with PCM exhibited a lower temperature than the control sample, which indicates that it is feasible to use PCM in asphalt pavement for lowering temperature and preventing rutting.