Poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) influence on mechanical, thermal, and degradation properties of PLA/PBSeT blends

Abstract

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is an important biodegradable plastic with unique properties. However, its widespread application is hindered by its low miscibility and suboptimal degradation properties. To overcome these limitations, we investigated the mechanical, thermal, and degradation properties of PLA and poly (butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeT) blends in the presence of poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO). Speci cally, this study aimed to identify the effects of PEO as a compatibilizer and hydrolysis accelerator in PLA/PBSeT blends. PLA (80%) and PBSeT (20%) were melt blended with various PEO contents (2-10 phr), and their mechanical, thermal, and hydrolytic properties were analyzed. All PEOtreated blends exhibited a higher elongation at break than that of the control sample, and the tensile strength was slightly reduced. In the PEO 10% sample, the elongation at break increased to 800% of that of the control sample. Differential scanning chromatography (DSC) analysis con rmed that when PEO was added to the PLA/PBSeT blends, the two glass transition temperatures (T g ) narrowed, resulting in improved miscibility of PLA and PBSeT. In addition, the hydrolytic degradation of the PLA/PBSeT/PEO blend accelerated as the PEO content increased. It was con rmed that PEO can act as a compatibilizer and hydrolysis-accelerating agent for PLA/PBSeT blends. HighlightsNovel biodegradable polyester blend was designed with PLA, synthesized PBSeT, and PEO.PEO was incorporated into PLA/PBSeT as a compatibilizer to promote blend properties.Hydrolytic degradability was increased owing to an increase in the surface hydrophilicity with the addition of PEO.