Poly(L-lactic acid)/deproteinized natural rubber blends with enhanced compatibility

Abstract

PLLA-g-LMWNR (LMWNR – low molecular weight natural rubber) was used as a compatibilizer (1–3 wt %) of poly(L-lactic acid)/deproteinized natural rubber (PLLA/DPNR) blend (95/5 w/w). The LMWNR was prepared using TiO2/ZnO (9 : 1 w/w) and H2O2 as co-catalyst. The obtained LMWNR was grafted with 0–12 wt % maleic anhydride (LMWNR-g-MA) and then with PLLA (PLLA-g-LMWNR). A significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the PLLA/DPNR blend was found in the blend that contained 3 wt % PLLA-g-LMWNR. Scanning electron microscopy showed a decrease in the pore diameter from 5.44 to 1.56 μm. The thermal analysis of PLLA/DPNR blends showed that the Tg value of PLLA phase shifted from 63.1 to 61.4°C. These results confirmed that PLLA-g-LMWNR can enhance the compatibility of the PLLA/DPNR blend.

Understanding the cation exchange affinity in modified-MMT catalysts for the conversion of glucose to lactic acid

“…1,2 Lactic acid can be produced from cellulose, the major biopolymer constituent of biomass. 3,4 Cellulose can be extracted through the pretreatment process, which removes hemicellulose and lignin fractions from cellulose. [5][6][7][8] Cellulose undergoes three sequential steps to produce lactic acid: hydrolysis of cellulose to monomeric glucose catalysed by Brønsted acids, isomerization of glucose to fructose catalysed by Lewis acids, followed by retro-aldol conversion of fructose to lactic acid also facilitated by Lewis acid catalysts.…”