Polylactide (PLA) and Its Blends with Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS): A Brief Review

Abstract

Polylactide (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and blends thereof have been researched in the last two decades due to their commercial availability and the upcoming requirements for using bio-based chemical building blocks. Blends consisting of PLA and PBS offer specific material properties. However, their thermodynamically favored biphasic composition often restricts their applications. Many approaches have been taken to achieve better compatibility for tailored and improved material properties. This review focuses on the modification of PLA/PBS blends in the timeframe from 2007 to early 2019. Firstly, neat polymers of PLA and PBS are introduced in respect of their origin, their chemical structure, thermal and mechanical properties. Secondly, recent studies for improving blend properties are reviewed mainly under the focus of the toughness modification using methods including simple blending, plasticization, reactive compatibilization, and copolymerization. Thirdly, we follow up by reviewing the effect of PBS addition, stereocomplexation, nucleation, and processing parameters on the crystallization of PLA. Next, the biodegradation and disintegration of PLA/PBS blends are summarized regarding the European and International Standards, influencing factors, and degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, the recycling and application potential of the blends are outlined.

Compatibilization of Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA) and Bio-Based Ethylene-Propylene-Diene-Rubber (EPDM) via Reactive Extrusion with Different Coagents

“…Only the addition of EMAGMA as a compatibilizer reduces the particle size of the soft phase significantly. This is in accordance to the mechanism of droplet breakup considering Equation (9). The combination of EMAGMA and TBEC does not have an additional effect on the size of the soft phase.…”

“…Blends with oligomeric poly (1,2-propylene glycol adipate) (PPA) prepared by Zhang et al showed similar behavior but also with the same disadvantages [7]. Many publications are available describing that PLA was physically blended with different other polymers, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) [8], poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) [9], poly(ethylene-co-butyl acrylate) (EBA) [10], poly(ethylene-co-octylene) (POE) [11], thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) [12]. Blending of PLA with other polymers is limited due to incompatibility and the resulting phase separation.…”

Development of Injection-Molded Polylactide Pieces with High Toughness by the Addition of Lactic Acid Oligomer and Characterization of Their Shape Memory Behavior

“…As previously indicated, one of the most widely used strategies to improve toughness in PLA-based formulations is blending with rubber-like polymers such as PCL [58], PBS [29,59], or PBAT [60,61]. In these immiscible blends, the energy absorption is related to presence of finely dispersed rubber-like small polymer droplets embedded in the brittle PLA matrix.…”

Preparation and Characterization of Bio-Based PLA/PBAT and Cinnamon Essential Oil Polymer Fibers and Life-Cycle Assessment from Hydrolytic Degradation

“…Then, the degradative medium can diffuse to the inside. Thus, the molecular fragmentation of the molecular chains initially occurs mainly through a surface-erosion process" [95][96][97]. Therefore, changes in the weight and molecular weight distribution of the sample will take place, among other modifications [98].…”