1. Characterization of the effect of REC on the compatibility of PHBH and PLA.
- Author
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Zhou, Ying-xin, Huang, Zhi-gang, Diao, Xiao-qian, Weng, Yun-xuan, and Wang, Yu-Zhong
- Subjects
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COMPATIBILIZERS , *EPOXY resins , *CAPROATES , *POLYLACTIC acid , *CHEMICAL structure , *POLY-beta-hydroxybutyrate - Abstract
This study reports the compatibility of the biobased polymers poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3- -hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA), as well as the effect of the addition of a reactive epoxy compatibilizer (REC) to the PHBH/PLA blend. The chemical structure, thermal performance, surface morphology and mechanical properties of the blends were measured using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic thermo-mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and impact and tensile testing. PHBH and PLA were partially compatible, and a PHBH/PLA mass ratio of 80:20 was selected for evaluation with an REC. The REC decreased the difference between the glass-transition temperatures of PHBH and PLA, decreased the particle size of the dispersed phase of the PHBH/PLA blend and produced uniform particle distribution. Moreover, the REC improved the elongation at break and impact strength of the PHBH/PLA blend. These results show that the addition of an REC improves the compatibility of PHBH and PLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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