Manufacturing and compatibilization of PLA/PBAT binary blends by cottonseed oil-based derivatives

Abstract

Abstract. This research work aims at the compatibilization of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), PLA/PBAT binary blends by using cottonseed oil derivatives, i.e. epoxidized (ECSO) and maleinized (MCSO) cottonseed oil. The potential of these vegetable oil-based compatibilizers are compared versus the effects of a conventional styreneacrylic oligomer. The base PLA/PBAT binary blend composition was 80 wt% PLA/20 wt% PBAT and the amount of compatibilizer was set to 1 and 7.5 wt%. The effects of the different compatibilizers were evaluated on PLA/PBAT films in terms of mechanical and thermal properties as well as blend's morphology by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Complementary, biodisintegration tests in controlled compost soil and surface properties were evaluated to assess the effects of the compatibilizers. Addition of 1 wt% ECSO and MCSO led to a remarkable increase in the elongation at break up to values over 100% with regard to neat PLA. Despite this, maximum elongation at break was obtained for the compatibilized PLA/PBAT blend with 7.5 wt% MCSO, reaching values of about 321.2% respect neat PLA keeping mechanical resistant properties, such as Young's modulus and tensile strength, at high levels. Therefore, vegetable oil-derived compatibilizers stand out as environmentally friendly additives for PLA/PBAT binary blends with improved properties.

Compostable composites of wheat stalk micro‐ and nanocrystalline cellulose and poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate): Surface properties and degradation behavior

“…[36][37][38][39] The microscopic results also provide important clues on the dispersion and possible segregation of any of the components in a composite material. [37][38][39][40][41] The closer look at the low-resolution SEM micrograph of the composite in Figure 1(a) towards any of the edges of the specimen shows primarily the surface coverage by the PBAT phase as there is no clear sign of MCC particles (shown by white arrows) present at the surface.…”

“…These results are in consistence with the conclusions drawn in similar works reported in the literature including blends and composites with chitosan, 22 starch, 34 clay, 35 and other systems comprising polylactides and other degradable systems. [36][37][38][39] The microscopic results also provide important clues on the dispersion and possible segregation of any of the components in a composite material. [37][38][39][40][41] The closer look at the low-resolution SEM micrograph of the composite in Figure 1(a) towards any of the edges of the specimen shows primarily the surface coverage by the PBAT phase as there is no clear sign of MCC particles (shown by white arrows) present at the surface.…”

Properties of biobased epoxy resins from epoxidized linseed oil (ELO) crosslinked with a mixture of cyclic anhydride and maleinized linseed oil

“…During the last years, a noticeable increase in the sensitiveness to environmental issues has been observed and polymeric materials of vegetable origin have attracted important attention in the last decades since they represent a feasible alternative to petroleum-derived materials. The development of biobased/ biodegradable thermoplastic polymers has been widely studied in the last few decades and today and it is interesting to remark the increasing use of biopolyesters such as poly(lactic acid) -(PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) -(PCL), poly(butylene succinate) -(PBS), poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) -(PBAT), poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) -(PBSA), and so on, among others [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. With regard to biobased thermosetting resins, industry faces a great challenge which is total or partial substitution of petroleumderived resins with new environmentally friendly developments.…”

Composites of poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) blend with wood fiber and wollastonite: Physical properties, morphology, and biodegradability

“…Moreover, it can be manufactured from annually renewable biomass resources, such as corn starch, tapioca roots, sugar beet, and sugar cane in a mass production via bioconversion and polymerization . However, some applications of PLA are found to be limited due to its high brittleness and low toughness . PBAT, an aliphatic‐aromatic copolyester with high toughness, flexibility, melt processability, and thermal stability, is a petroleum‐based plastic but fully biodegradable through the metabolism of biological enzymes or microorganisms existing in soil or compost .…”

“…PBAT, an aliphatic‐aromatic copolyester with high toughness, flexibility, melt processability, and thermal stability, is a petroleum‐based plastic but fully biodegradable through the metabolism of biological enzymes or microorganisms existing in soil or compost . These suggest PBAT as a good option for melt blending with PLA, which is a straightforward and relatively simple method to improve toughness and application of the PLA‐based product without the expense of reducing its biodegradability . Even though blending of PLA with PBAT yields a combination of the desired properties of individual polymer, but the blend still needs some improvements by filling with various reinforcements to widen its application.…”