Reaction mechanism and mechanical property improvement of Poly(Lactic Acid) reactive blending with Epoxy Resin

Kiatiporntipthak, Krittameth and Thajai, Nanthicha and Kanthiya, Thidarat and Rachtanapun, Pornchai and Leksawasdi, Noppol and Phimolsiripol, Yuthana and Rohindra, David and Ruksiriwanich, Warintorn and Sommano, Sarana R. and Jantanasakulwong, Kittisak (2021) Reaction mechanism and mechanical property improvement of Poly(Lactic Acid) reactive blending with Epoxy Resin. Polymers, 13 (15). NA. ISSN 2073-4360

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Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) was melt-blended with epoxy resin to study the effects of the reaction on the mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA. The addition of 0.5% (wt/wt) epoxy to PLA increased the maximum tensile strength of PLA (57.5 MPa) to 67 MPa, whereas the 20% epoxy improved the elongation at break to 12%, due to crosslinking caused by the epoxy reaction. The morphology of the PLA/epoxy blends showed epoxy nanoparticle dispersion in the PLA matrix that presented a smooth fracture surface with a high epoxy content. The glass transition temperature of PLA decreased with an increasing epoxy content owing to the partial miscibility between PLA and the epoxy resin. The Vicat softening temperature of the PLA was 59 °C and increased to 64.6 °C for 0.5% epoxy. NMR confirmed the reaction between the -COOH groups of PLA and the epoxy groups of the epoxy resin. This reaction, and partial miscibility of the PLA/epoxy blend, improved the interfacial crosslinking, morphology, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of the blends.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QD Chemistry
Divisions:	School of Agriculture, Geography, Environment, Ocean and Natural Sciences (SAGEONS)
Depositing User:	Ms Shalni Sanjana
Date Deposited:	19 Jun 2022 23:17
Last Modified:	19 Jun 2022 23:17
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/13475

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