Thermo-Blending of Biobased Poly(propylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) and Poly(lactic acid) with Improved Mechanical Performance

Abstract

Sustainable polymeric blends were successfully produced by blending biobased poly(propylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PPF) with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). This study aimed to enhance the toughness of PLA, which is known for its inherent brittleness, by incorporating compatible polymeric additives. In this regard, a biosynthesized PPF polymer was used to strengthen PLA, resulting in improved tensile properties and the potential for biodegradability, as both PLA and PPF are derived from natural sources. The study revealed that the highest tensile strength (89.46 ± 2.98 MPa) was achieved with a 30% PPF reinforcement of PLA, while the greatest elongation at break (63.85 ± 4.10%) was observed with a 20% PPF reinforcement, compared to neat PLA. Additionally, the 30% PPF reinforcement of PLA exhibited a significantly higher Young's modulus of 3197.35 ± 107.25 MPa. All the blends displayed superior tensile strengths and elongation at break compared to neat PLA. Tensile strengths showed an increasing trend with a higher content of PPF copolymers. Morphological investigations indicated limited compatibility between PLA and PPF, but this characteristic did not negatively impact the thermo-mechanical performance of the developed blends. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the blends increased with a higher loading of PPF in the polymeric blend system. Overall, these sustainable composite products demonstrate promising potential for applications requiring enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The results suggest that the developed blends are suitable for scalable production and real-life applications.