Thermal and mechanical characterization of plasticized poly (L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) films for food packaging

In this work amorphous poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide) (PLLA/PDLLA) was blended with four different commercial adipates to obtain films with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. Efficiency of plasticizers was evaluated by studying their compatibility with the polymer and their effect on its glass transition temperature. All plasticizers were compatible with the matrix up to a critical composition depending on its molar mass. The addition of plasticizers caused a decrease in elastic modulus and tensile stress, meanwhile elongation at break had a maximum increase for polyadipates with the lower molar mass. Monomeric adipate showed some migration at concentration higher than 10 mass%, while the addition of the higher molar mass plasticizer lead to eventual phase separation. Polyadipates with low molar mass showed a promising behaviour to overcome the brittleness in PLLA/PDLLA films.