Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil
Blending of polymers can enhance performance of plastics and can give the opportunity to broaden the application fields. Especially the brittleness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an issue, that is often addressed by blending it with soft polymers like poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3265 |
| _version_ | 1797586101533147136 |
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| author | Lena Marbach Philip Mörbitz |
| author_facet | Lena Marbach Philip Mörbitz |
| author_sort | Lena Marbach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Blending of polymers can enhance performance of plastics and can give the opportunity to broaden the application fields. Especially the brittleness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an issue, that is often addressed by blending it with soft polymers like poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The immiscibility of those two polymers leads to limited properties of the blend. This study aimed to examine the application of electron-beam treatment with the implementation of a compatibilizing agent. PLA and PBAT were compounded with the addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) in different ratios and extruded into flat films. These were treated with electron beams at irradiation doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 kGy. The films thus produced were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, size exclusion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing. A significant change in the glass transition temperatures of the blend partners was observed, as well as a substantial increase in elongation at break, even in PLA-rich compositions. These findings indicate improved compatibilization. Furthermore, the use of epoxidized soybean oil showed a changed extraction behavior of PBAT, indicating a formed binding to PLA. The results show that electron-beam treatment can significantly improve the compatibility between different polymers in blends, leading to enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:18:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8609806131844b819a25d11971e4b31e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T00:18:33Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-8609806131844b819a25d11971e4b31e2023-11-18T23:28:46ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602023-07-011515326510.3390/polym15153265Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean OilLena Marbach0Philip Mörbitz1Department of Circular and Bio-Based Plastics, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology, Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, GermanyDepartment of Circular and Bio-Based Plastics, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology, Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, GermanyBlending of polymers can enhance performance of plastics and can give the opportunity to broaden the application fields. Especially the brittleness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an issue, that is often addressed by blending it with soft polymers like poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The immiscibility of those two polymers leads to limited properties of the blend. This study aimed to examine the application of electron-beam treatment with the implementation of a compatibilizing agent. PLA and PBAT were compounded with the addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) in different ratios and extruded into flat films. These were treated with electron beams at irradiation doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 kGy. The films thus produced were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, size exclusion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing. A significant change in the glass transition temperatures of the blend partners was observed, as well as a substantial increase in elongation at break, even in PLA-rich compositions. These findings indicate improved compatibilization. Furthermore, the use of epoxidized soybean oil showed a changed extraction behavior of PBAT, indicating a formed binding to PLA. The results show that electron-beam treatment can significantly improve the compatibility between different polymers in blends, leading to enhanced mechanical and thermal properties.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3265compatibilizationmiscibilityPLAPBATepoxidized soybean oilelectron beam treatment |
| spellingShingle | Lena Marbach Philip Mörbitz Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil Polymers compatibilization miscibility PLA PBAT epoxidized soybean oil electron beam treatment |
| title | Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil |
| title_full | Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil |
| title_fullStr | Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil |
| title_short | Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil |
| title_sort | electron beam induced compatibilization of pla pbat blends in presence of epoxidized soybean oil |
| topic | compatibilization miscibility PLA PBAT epoxidized soybean oil electron beam treatment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/15/3265 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lenamarbach electronbeaminducedcompatibilizationofplapbatblendsinpresenceofepoxidizedsoybeanoil AT philipmorbitz electronbeaminducedcompatibilizationofplapbatblendsinpresenceofepoxidizedsoybeanoil |