Unique Crystallization Behavior of Poly(L-lactic acid) Nucleated by Stereocomplex with Different Fine Structure

Effect of the addition of poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) as stereocomplex (SC) on crystallization behavior of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) had been systemically investigated. The result indicated that the inclusion of PDLA with higher MW into PLLA exhibited lower t(1/2) and showed accelerated crystallization behavior. Meanwhile, SC formed in blends with higher MW of PDLA exhibited enhanced nucleation activity. In combination with both DSC and WAXD analysis, it was believed that nucleation process was more related to the crystalline size of SC. The result in this study would provide guidance for the application of SC as nucleating agent for the PLA-based products.