Compatibilization strategies in poly(lactic acid)-based blends

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is regarded as one of the most promising bio-based and biodegradable polymers, due to its excellent biodegradability, biocompatibility, renewability, high strength, and easy processibility. However, disadvantages such as brittleness and relatively high cost have restricted its applications significantly. Polymer blending provides an economic and efficient way to modify the properties of PLA. Most shortcomings of PLA are theoretically surmountable by blending with abundant polymers with various properties. But, unfortunately, PLA is thermodynamically immiscible with most existing polymers. High-performance PLA-based blends are usually unanticipated by direct blending. In order to obtain PLA-based blends with excellent overall properties, compatibilization is required during polymer blending. Various strategies have been employed or developed to compatibilize PLA blends with different polymers, as reported in recent studies. This article aims to review the development in compatibilization strategies employed in PLA-based blends.