This is the first study investigating how polycarbodiimide (PCDI) delays thermal degradation of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blends (PLA/NR) during the preparation of PLA/NR masterbatches (MB) and PLA/MB compounds for the film blowing process. The PCDI concentration used in this work was from 0 to 1 wt%. The torque plastograms, FTIR, and 1H-NMR spectra indicated the successful chain extending reaction between the PCDI carbodiimide group and the PLA carboxyl group, and there was no reaction with NR domains. The reaction increased the PLA/MB compounds’ viscosity and improved processability and mechanical properties of PLA/MB blown films. The optimal PCDI content for the highest melt strength, film blowing stability, and mechanical properties was at 0.25 wt% PCDI. Undesirable gel spots were observed in the PLA/MB blown film at PCDI concentrations higher than 0.5 wt%.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.