Bio‐based polylactic acid or epoxy natural rubber thermoplastic vulcanizates with dual interfacial compatibilization networks

Abstract

The bio-based thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) composed of polylactic acid (PLA) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) was prepared by the dynamic vulcanization method induced by dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and a novel filler, bis(aminopropyl)-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-NH 2 ), was added as the compatibilizer. The dynamic vulcanization reaction occurred first, and the PLA-g-ENR graft copolymer was formed at the interface of PLA and ENR.With the addition of appropriate amount of PDMS-NH 2 , the cross-linking of ENR was enhanced, and the size of PLA became smaller and more evenly dispersed. The prepared TPVs were found to have dual interfacial compatibilization networks. Mechanical characterization of this polymeric material containing a special structure is performed. TPV achieved the tensile strength at break of 12.8 MPa and elongation at break of 103%, revealing 103% and 329% higher than 6.3 MPa and 24% for the simple blend of ENR/PLA. Meanwhile, the elastic modulus of TPV increased to 352 MPa, which was 1.96 times that of the simple blend. As a result, ENR/PLA composites with high toughness and mechanical strength are achieved and the toughening mechanism and toughening factors were discussed.

Poly(lactic acid)/ poly(ε-caprolactone) blends: the effect of nanocalcium carbonate and glycidyl methacrylate on interfacial characteristics

“…The Palierne model suggested hindered elastic response at intermediate frequencies due to NCC localization, while the elastic response of the PCL dispersed phase in the compatibilized blend was noticeably different after the addition of GMA. Overall, this study highlights the potential of GMA and NCC in improving the properties of PLA/PCL blends and nanocomposites (Hoffmann et al, 2000;Na et al, 2002;Shi et al, 2011;Eslami and Kamal, 2013;Aid et al, 2017;Rocha et al, 2020;Chow et al, 2022;Xu et al, 2022).…”

Poly(lactic acid)/ poly(ε-caprolactone) blends: the effect of nanocalcium carbonate and glycidyl methacrylate on miscibility

“…The addition of an appropriate amount of PDMS-NH2 enhanced the cross-linking of ENR, and the size of PLA became smaller and more evenly dispersed. The prepared TPVs exhibited dual interfacial compatibilization networks 49 .…”

Strong, self-healing and flame-retardant elastomer composite based on epoxidized natural rubber, polylactic acid, chitosan and guanidine phosphate

“…Eventually PLA was grafted onto the ENR macromolecular chain, and an interfacial transition zone was built between ENR and PLA. The resulting rubber-plastic blends are called thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) [9][10][11][12]. The ENR/PLA system has better mechanical properties and excellent self-healing ability than those of pure ENR [13,14].…”