Flow‐induced crystallization of polylactide stereocomplex under pressure

Although shear and pressure fields always coexist in practical polymer processing, their combined influence on the crystallization behavior of polylactide stereocomplex (SC) is ambiguous due to the limit of experiment device. In that case, a homemade device was employed to prepare samples under the coexistence of shear and pressure and explore the crystallization behavior of SC. Differential scanning calorimetry and synchrotron radiation were used to investigate the combined effect of shear flow and pressure on SC crystallization. The results show that shear flow was helpful for SC formation. Shear flow promoted the phase mixing of the polymer blends and improved the nucleation efficiency of SC. Pressure had a negative effect on SC formation because of the decrease in free volume. Regard to polylactide homogeneous (HC), pressure played a positive role on HC formation. Pressure suppressed the formation of SC network which could impede HC generation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46378.     

Visualization of hydrolysis in polylactide using near‐infrared hyperspectral imaging and chemometrics

The hydrolysis of polylactide (PLA) occurs during melt processing, leading to product defects in, for example, appearance and mechanical properties. Hydrolyzed PLA products, whose mechanical properties were deteriorated, must be detected during processing to ensure the quality control of PLA products. In this study, near‐infrared (NIR) hyperspectral imaging was applied for evaluating the extent of hydrolysis. NIR spectra in the wavelength range from 1200 to 1600 nm were changed by (1) hydrolysis induced by molding and (2) crystallization induced by annealing. The changes in the NIR spectra mediated by these two factors were distinctly different but overlapping, leading to difficulty in evaluating PLA at only a single wavelength. Partial least squares regression was introduced for detecting the hydrolyzed PLA. NIR imaging combined with the constructed partial least square models clearly visualized the differences in the extent of hydrolysis in hydrolyzed PLA under varying degrees of crystallization. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45898.     

Crystallinity and mechanical properties of polylactide/ether‐amide copolymer blends

The present study focuses on the improvement of impact properties and particularly on the interaction between crystallinity development and mechanical properties of impact modified polylactide (PLA). The PLA was toughened by the addition of a random linear ether‐amide copolymer (PEBAX 3533?). A random copolymer of ethylene, methyl‐acrylate, and glycidyl‐methacrylate (LOTADER AX8900?) was also used to reactively compatibilize the ether‐amide copolymer with the PLA matrix. Melt rheology of the blends was investigated in small amplitude oscillatory shear and showed that the impact modifier could significantly influence the viscoelastic response of the material. The Izod impact resistance and tensile properties were measured using standard testing protocols. The blend morphology was also examined using scanning electron microscopy on cryofractured and microtomed surfaces, while the crystalline morphology was assessed by optical microscopy. A sub‐micron dispersion of the impact modifier was achieved in the presence of the reactive compatibilizer. Significantly improved impact strength was found with 10 wt % impact modifier. High crystallinity samples showed the highest impact strength with values reaching 68 kJ/m², hence a 20‐fold improvement with respect to the neat PLA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44677.     

Comparison of covalent and noncovalent interactions of carbon nanotubes on the crystallization behavior and thermal properties of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)

In this study, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed into a poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co?3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) matrix, in which PHBV was either covalently attached to the nanotubes through an esterification reaction between the carboxylic groups of functionalized MWCNTs and the hydroxyl groups of PHBV with toluene diisocyanate as a coupling agent or physically mixed to result in only noncovalent interactions. The structure, crystallization behavior, and thermal properties of the resulting nanocomposites were studied. We found that the crystallization of PHBV grafted onto the MWCNTs (PHBV‐g‐MWCNTs) was markedly hindered and exhibited an exothermic peak caused by cold crystallization, whereas the nonisothermal crystallization of PHBV was enhanced because a heterogeneous nucleation effect appeared in the PHBV/MWCNTs. Moreover, the maximum decomposition temperature of the PHBV‐g‐MWCNTs was improved by about 14.4°C compared with that of the PHBV/MWCNTs and by about 23.7°C compared with that of the original PHBV. Furthermore, the PHBV‐g‐MWCNTs exhibited the wider melt‐processing window than the PHBV/MWCNTs and original PHBV. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 4299–4307, 2013     

Hydrolytic degradation and crystallization behavior of linear 2‐armed and star‐shaped 4‐armed poly(l‐lactide)s: Effects of branching architecture and crystallinity

“Linear” aliphatic polyesters composed of two poly(l ‐lactide) arms attached to 1,3‐propanediol and “star‐shaped” ones composed of four poly(l ‐lactide) arms attached to pentaerythritol (2‐L and 4‐L polymers, respectively) with number‐average molecular weight (M_n) = 1.4–8.4 × 10⁴g/mol were hydrolytically degraded at 37°C and pH = 7.4. The effects of the branching architecture and crystallinity on the hydrolytic degradation and crystalline morphology change were investigated. The degradation mechanism of initially amorphous and crystallized 2‐L polymers changed from bulk degradation to surface degradation with decreasing initial M_n; in contrast, initially crystallized higher molecular weight 4‐L polymer degraded via bulk degradation, while the degradation mechanism of other 4‐L polymers could not be determined. The hydrolytic‐degradation rates monitored by molecular‐weight decreases decreased significantly with increasing branch architecture and/or higher number of hydroxyl groups per unit mass. The hydrolytic degradation rate determined from the molecular weight decrease was higher for initially crystallized samples than for initially amorphous samples; however, that of 2‐L polymers monitored by weight loss was larger for initially amorphous samples than for initially crystallized samples. Initially amorphous 2‐L polymers with an M_n below 3.5 × 10⁴g/mol crystallized during hydrolytic degradation. In contrast, the branching architecture disturbed crystallization of initially amorphous 4‐L polymers during hydrolytic degradation. All initially crystallized 2‐L and 4‐L polymers had δ‐form crystallites before hydrolytic degradation, which did not change during hydrolytic degradation. During hydrolytic degradation, the glass transition temperatures of initially amorphous and crystallized 2‐L and 4‐L polymers and the cold crystallization temperatures of initially amorphous 2‐L and 4‐L polymers showed similar changes to those reported for 1‐armed poly(l ‐lactide). © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41983.     

Borassus powder-reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites with improved crystallization and mechanical properties

This article reports on the development of biocomposites based on polylactic acid (PLA) and borassus powder. Borassus powder was treated with alkali to remove hemicelluloses and lignin. The treated borassus improved the homogeneous mixing with PLA and increased the crystallinity of PLA. Dispersibility of the borassus was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray MicroCT. PLA/borassus composites were prepared by melt mixing of PLA with 5, 10, and 15 wt % treated/untreated borassus. Composites were examined for mechanical properties and crystallization. Composites showed enhanced tensile strength compared to neat PLA. The PLA/treated borassus powder composites displayed higher crystallinity than PLA. The isothermal cold crystallization study showed increase in the crystallization rate of PLA in the presence of treated borassus. The spherulitic growth was studied using polarized optical microscopy. The enhanced performance of the PLA-borassus composites was observed in the presence of borassus. This study demonstrates that the PLA-borassus composites show great promise for bioplastics applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47440.     

The preparation and crystallization of long chain branching polylactide made by melt radicals reaction

Long chain branching (LCB) of polylactic acid (PLA) was successfully prepared by melt radicals reaction with pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) and bis (1‐methyl‐1‐phenylethyl) peroxide (DCP). The topological structure of the LCB was investigated by rheology and branch‐on‐branch (BOB) model was used to estimate the exact chain structures of the products, where comb‐like LCB structures were generated due to the complex coupling between different macro‐radicals. LCB structure was found to affect the crystallization of PLA products. In the temperature range of 110–130°C, the crystallization rate parameter (k) was improved sharply and the half crystallization time was decreased significantly after the grafting of PETA, which was ascribed to the enhanced hydrogen bonding in PETA‐grafted long chain branching PLA. By comparing with the LCB PLA made from chain extension using multifunctional monomer, it shows that the crystallization becomes slower in a highly branched material with extremely long relaxation time if the effect of hydrogen bonding is similar. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Small‐molecule‐induced miscibility of isosorbide‐based polycarbonate with bisphenol A polycarbonate

In this study, we investigated the influence of the small molecule 4,4′‐thiobis(6‐tert‐butyl‐m‐methyl phenol) (AO300) on the miscibility of poly(isosorbide‐co‐1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol carbonate) (IcC–PC) with bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA–PC) through the formation of hydrogen‐bonding networks. Differential scanning calorimetry and morphological observation revealed that the initially, immiscible BPA–PC/IcC–PC blends become miscible through the addition of small molecules. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that intermolecular hydrogen bonds formed between the hydroxyl groups of AO300 and the carbonyl groups of the studied polycarbonates. These polycarbonates exhibited different hydrogen‐bonding behaviors and various degrees of glass‐transition temperature composition dependence. Dynamic mechanical analysis demonstrated that AO300 played an antiplasticization role in the BPA–PC/IcC–PC blends with improved storage moduli. To our knowledge, this article is the first to describe the miscibility of isosorbide‐based polycarbonate with BPA–PC. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44537.     

Thermal properties and crystallization behavior of fractionated blocky and random polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers from mixed microbial cultures

This study represents the first detailed analysis of the thermal, morphological, and crystallization properties of the blend components within a range of mixed‐culture polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), with 3‐hydroxyvalerate content in the as‐produced materials and in the fractions ranging from low (12 mol %) to high (91 mol %). Both coarse and fine fractionation of the as‐produced copolymers confirmed that they were blends of nominally blocky and/or random copolymers of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate), with very broad compositional distributions as governed by the PHA accumulation strategy. The crystallization kinetics and thermal properties of the fractions were found to be very significantly different from each other, consistent with the hypothesis that the overall mechanical properties were primarily controlled by the more rapidly crystallizing components. Two materials produced using an alternating feeding strategy demonstrated unique crystallization and thermal properties in their fractions, which are considered to have contributed to distinctly more elastic mechanical properties in these particular samples. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40836.     

Influence of silanized low‐dimensional carbon nanofillers on mechanical,thermomechanical, and crystallization behaviors of poly(L‐lactic acid) composites—A comparative study

Composites were investigated regarding the comparison of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with exfoliated graphene(EG) in poly(L‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and the effect of silane‐treated carbon nanofillers on properties of PLLA composites. Solution blending method was used to prepare PLLA composites at a filler content of 0.5 wt %. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectra results indicated the attachment of silane molecules on the surface of these nanofillers. It was found that the addition of these nanofillers greatly enhanced the mechanical, thermomechanical, and crystallization behaviors of PLLA due to the heterogeneous nucleation effect. Moreover, the silane‐treated fillers further enhanced the breaking elongation moderately (although the materials are still brittle), modulus and thermal property of the nanocomposites, without sacrificing the tensile strength, compared with the pristine nanocomposites. On the other hand, composites reinforced with MWCNTs and EG perform almost the same mechanical property. And EG outperformed MWCNTs in thermomechanical properties of composites when being used as the reinforcement of PLLA. Conversely, composites reinforced with MWCNTs showed better crystallization properties than those reinforced with EG. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed for the crystallization properties of PLLA composites when MWCNTs and EG had been treated by silane coupling agent. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1194‐1202, 2013     

Characterization of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) biosynthesized by mixed microbial consortia fed fermented dairy manure

The bioplastic poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), was isolated from a bioreactor using mixed microbial consortia fed volatile fatty acids (VFA), from fermented dairy manure, as the carbon source. The molar fraction of 3‐hydroxyvalerate (3HV) amounted to 0.33 mol mol^?1 for two isolated PHBV samples as determined by GC‐MS and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties were determined. The PHBVs had relatively high M_w (～790,000 g mol^?1). Only a single glass transition temperature (T_g) and melting point (T_m) were observed. Isolated PHBVs exhibited good flexibility and elongation to break as compared with commercial PHBVs with lower HV. The diad and triad sequence distributions of the monomeric units were determined by ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy and followed Bernoullian statistics suggesting that the PHBVs were random. The PHBV sequence distribution was also characterized by electrospray ionization‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSⁿ) after partial alkaline hydrolysis to oligomers showing a random 3HV distribution. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40333.     

Thermal behavior of extruded and injection‐molded poly(lactic acid)–talc engineered biocomposites: Effects of material design,thermal history,and shear stresses during melt processing

Reinforced biocomposites were compounded by the reactive extrusion of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and chemically modified microlamellar talcs. Talc was functionalized by the hydrolysis and condensation reaction of its surface hydroxyl groups with different kinds of organosilanes, namely, 3‐aminopropyl triethoxysilane and (3‐glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane, and commercially available tri‐isocyanates, namely, Bayhydur 3100 and Desmodur 3900, which feature hydrophilic and hydrophobic behaviors, respectively. PLA–talc biocomposites were also compounded by the addition of two types of reactive biodegradable compatibilizing agents, namely, maleic anhydride and glycidyl methacrylate modified PLA. The resulting compounds were melt‐processed by injection molding to get flat substrates with different formulations. The thermal responses of the extruded compounds and injection‐molded items, specifically the first and second thermal transitions, were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. In particular, the influence of the different material formulations, their thermal history, and/or shear stress in single‐ or multiple‐stage heating and/or melt processing on the glass transition, crystallinity, and melting behavior of the biocomposites was investigated. The experimental findings revealed that the macroscopic thermal response of the compounds (i.e., extruded pellets) and substrates (i.e., injection‐molded flat slabs) manufactured by the melt processing of the available formulations was controlled and significantly improved by the fine‐tuning of the chemical (i.e., reaction mechanisms, chemical bonds) and physical interactions (i.e., steric hindrances, physical bonds) among the modified talc, PLA, and compatibilizing agents. These results are of great practical importance and open up broader scenarios for the industrial application of biopolymers and biocomposites, specifically in all of those consumer goods where thermal stability and the preservation of mechanical performance at moderate and high temperatures of the materials are pivotal. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45179.     

Effect of natural flours on crystallization behaviors of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate)

This paper investigates the effects of natural flours on the crystallization behavior of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH). Two types of PHBH (3‐hydroxyhexanoate [3HH] contents of 5.6 and 11.1 mol %) were used as polymer matrix. One of two natural flours (cellulose or wood) at 1 wt % was added to this PHBH matrix. Crystallization behaviors under nonisothermal conditions were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), while those under isothermal conditions were characterized using DSC and polarized optical microscopy. The results suggested that both cellulose and wood flour addition enhanced crystallization of the PHBH containing 5.6 mol % of 3HH (i.e., increased crystallization peak temperature and degree of crystallinity under the nonisothermal conditions, as well as decreased crystallization half time under the isothermal conditions). Of the two flours, wood flour was found to have greater effects, due to its higher crystal nucleating ability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43600.     

A facile method of preparing highly porous polylactide microfibers

Highly porous polylactide (PLA) microfibers with the diameter of about 14 µm are prepared by melt‐spinning and stretching core–sheath PLA fibers (CSF) and sequent treatment of ethyl acetate. The resultant pores are regular and elliptical. The average values of length of major axis and minor axis of elliptical pores are around 1 and 0.5 μm, respectively. This new and facile method can prepare porous PLA fibers on industrial scale, and nearly overcome all the shortcomings of melt‐spinning and stretching method. In addition, highly porous structure in partially oriented poly(l ‐lactide) yarn (POY) can be also formed by treating POY using ethyl acetate. The obtained pores are irregular. In addition, the formation mechanism of pore structure in CSF is different with the one in POY. The former is the separation of row‐nucleated lamellae induced by stretching while the latter is swelling and subsequent solvent‐induced crystallization. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45860.     

Impact of thermal processing or solvent casting upon crystallization of PLA nanocellulose and/or nanoclay composites

Here, we present how processing (solvent casting or isothermal crystallization) impacts crystallinity of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and its nanocomposites (PLA/1 wt % cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), PLA/1 wt % nanoclay (C30B) or PLA/1 wt % CNF/1 wt % C30B. Polarized optical microscopy demonstrated a heterogeneous nucleation process during isothermal crystallization leading to smaller homogeneously distributed spherulites. With solvent casting, no effect on morphology was observed with respect to the nanoparticles, but an increased spherulite size was observed at higher temperatures. This fact raises significant concerns regarding the suitability of solvent casting as a lab-scale procedure to investigate materials. Additionally, combining the reinforcing agents, CNF, and C30B, did not increase nucleation rate, in contrast with the general tendency, where the incorporation of both particles led to improved properties (e.g., thermomechanical and barrier properties). However, a combination of C30B and CNF did lead to an overall increase in the rigid amorphous fraction and a reduced mobile amorphous fraction. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47486.     

Dependence of alcohol vapor‐induced crystallization on gas and vapor permeabilities of poly(lactic acid) films

The effects of methanol and ethanol vapor‐induced crystallization on vapor and gas permeabilities and on the structure of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films were systematically investigated. At high temperature conditions, the vapor permeability of PLA films decreased with increasing exposure time. The PLA films that were exposed to alcohol vapor became slightly cloudy, and no changes in chemical structure were observed. Alcohol vapor‐induced crystallization formed α‐crystal structure. The vapor permeability decreased with increasing crystallinity. However, nitrogen permeability slightly increased after vapor‐induced crystallization. The dependence of crystallinity on vapor and gas permeabilities was different from each penetrant. Total crystalline structures, including continuous crystal structures, remaining amorphous regions, and their interface depend on vapor and gas permeabilities. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40140.     

Isothermal crystallization and spherulite growth behavior of stereo multiblock poly(lactic acid)s: Effects of block length

Stereo multiblock poly(lactic acid)s (PLA)s and stereo diblock poly(lactic acid) (DB) with a wide variety of block length of 15.4–61.9 lactyl units are synthesized, and the effects of block length sequence on crystallization and spherulite growth behavior are investigated at different crystallization temperatures, in comparison with neat poly(L ‐lactide) (PLLA), poly(D ‐lactide) (PDLA), and PLLA/PDLA blend. Only stereocomplex crystallites as crystalline species are formed in the stereo multiblock PLAs and DB, irrespective of block length and crystallization temperature. The maximum crystallinities (33–61%), maximum radial growth rate of spherulites (0.7–56.7 μm min^?1), and equilibrium melting temperatures (182.0–216.5°C) increased with increasing block length but are less than those of PLLA/PDLA blend (67 %, 122.5 μm min^?1, and 246.0°C). The spherulite growth rates and overall crystallization rates of the stereo multiblock PLAs and DB increased with increasing block length and are lower than that of PLLA/PDLA blend. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Thermophysical properties of bacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate): Characterized by TMA,DSC, and TMDSC

The melting, isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization behaviors of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) have been studied by means of temperature modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC) and conventional DSC. Various experimental conditions including isothermal/annealing temperatures (80, 90, 100, 105, 110, 120, 130, and 140°C), cooling rates (2, 5, 10, 20, and 50°C/min) and heating rates (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50°C/min) have been investigated. The lower endothermic peak (T_m1) representing the original crystals prior to DSC scan, while the higher one (T_m2) is attributed to the melting of the crystals formed by recrystallization. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) was used to evaluate the original melting temperature (T_melt) and glass transition temperature (T_g) as comparison to DSC analysis. The multiple melting phenomenon was ascribed to the melting‐recrystallization‐remelting mechanism of the crystallites with lower thermal stability showing at T_m1. Different models (Avrami, Jeziorny‐modified‐Avrami, Liu and Mo, and Ozawa model) were utilized to describe the crystallization kinetics. It was found that Liu and Mo's analysis and Jeziorny‐modified‐Avrami model were successful to explain the nonisothermal crystallization kinetic of PHB. The activation energies were estimated in both isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization process, which were 102 and 116 kJ/mol in respective condition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42412.     

Crystalline structure and morphology of poly(L‐lactide) formed under high pressure

The poly(l ‐lactide) (PLLA) samples were prepared by the annealing under 100 MPa at 75–145^°C and 200 MPa at 105–145^°C for 6 h, respectively. The crystalline structures, thermal properties and morphology were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). On the basis of the DSC and WAXD results, it can be seen that the α′ form was formed by the annealing under 100 MPa at 85–95°C but not found under 200 MPa at 105–145°C. A phase diagram of PLLA crystal form under high pressure was constructed under the given experimental conditions, which displayed the α′ form was formed at limited temperature and pressure range. Besides, SEM suggested that the PLLA samples annealed under 100 MPa crystallize to form lamellar‐like crystals due to the low growth rate and the confined crystallization behavior under high pressure. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40637.     

Talc reinforcement of polylactide and biodegradable polyester blends via injection-molding and pilot-scale film extrusion

As a renewable and biodegradable polymer, polylactide (PLA) has taken a foothold in the packaging industry. However, the thermomechanical and barrier properties of PLA-based films need to be improved to facilitate a wider adoption. To address this challenge, we examined the effect of talc reinforcement in composites based on PLA and a biodegradable polyester. Masterbatches of the polymers and talc were produced by melt compounding and processed by either injection-molding or film extrusion in a pilot-scale unit operating at 60–80 m/min. The effect of talc was investigated in relation to the morphological, thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of the composites. Based on SEM-imaging, talc was found to increase the miscibility of PLA and the polyester while acting as a nucleating agent that improved PLA crystallinity. While this effect did not track with an increased mechanical strength, the composites with 3–4 wt% talc displayed a significantly higher barrier to water vapor. Compared to the neat polymer films, a reduction of water vapor transmission rate, by ~34–37%, was observed at 23°C/50% RH. Meanwhile, the systems loaded with 1 wt% talc showed a reduction in oxygen transmission rates, by up to 34%. Our results highlight the challenges and prospects of commercial PLA-based blends filled with talc from films extruded in pilot-scale units.