High Melt Strength and High Toughness PLLA/PBS Blends by Copolymerization and in Situ Reactive Compatibilization

Poly(L-lactide)/poly(butylene succinate) (PLLA/PBS) blends were prepared by melt mixing with a PLLA-based compatibilizer (PBS-PLLA) and a chain extender triarm block copolymer (PLLA-block-poly(glycidyl methacrylates))(3) (PLLA-b-PGMA)(3). The tensile testing showed significant improvement in mechanical properties and remarkably maintained high strength. Rheological investigation of PLLA/PBS/PBS-PLLA/(PLLA-b-PGMA)(3) indicated that the viscosity and storage modulus was improved greatly compared with neat PLLA. Elongational viscosity measurements exhibited strong strain-hardening behavior. The increase of the torque indicated the occurrence of chain branching and chain extension reaction. The imperfect crystallization of PLLA/PBS/PBS-PLLA/(PLLA-b-PGMA)(3) blends was demonstrated by the lowered melt point of PLLA. SEM showed that the PBS-PLLA and (PLLA-b-PGMA)(3) significantly improved the compatibility of the PLLA/PBS blends. It was indicated that the synergistic effects of PBS-PLLA and (PLLA-b-PGMA)(3) in PLLA/PBS blends played a key role in properties enhancement. With copolymerization and in situ reactive compatibilization, PLLA/PBS/PBS-PLLA/(PLLA-b-PGMA)(3) blends not only improved the toughness but also improved the melt strength.