A new approach for morphology control of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and soy protein blends

In contrast to most studies in the literature where soy protein was used as a particulate filler in hydrophobic thermoplastic polymers, in this study, soy protein concentrate (SPC) was processed as a plastic to blend with poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). By adjusting water content in the formulated SPC from low to high prior to compounding, SPC exhibited behaviors ranging from rigid filler to deformable filler to plastic during blending. Detailed phase morphology of the blends was revealed by transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Evidences showed that SPC formed percolated thread structures when additional water was added to SPC prior to compounding. Study of dynamic rheology also confirmed the formation of interconnected network structure. Accordingly, tensile mechanical properties were greatly improved for those blends with percolated SPC thread structures. The molecular weight change of PBAT in blends and influence of processing on soy protein solubility were also examined.     

聚乳酸/聚己二酸对苯二甲酸丁二酯合共混体系发泡行为研究

采用多环氧基团增容剂制备了聚乳酸/聚己二酸对苯二甲酸丁二酯(PLA/PBAT)共混物,研究了增容剂含量对于PLA/PBAT共混体系的结晶和流变性能的影响。并采用高压釜发泡的方法进行PLA/PBAT共混物的间歇发泡,研究增容剂对发泡材料泡体结构的影响。结果表明,增容剂加入后会降低其绝对结晶度,以及显著改善PLA/PBAT共混体系的熔体弹性,提高其可发性;增容剂可以有效地改善共混体系的泡体结构,降低共混物发泡密度,提高其发泡倍率。     

Different Effects of Water and Glycerol on Morphology and Properties of Poly(lactic acid)/Soy Protein Concentrate Blends

When containing extra water, soy protein concentrate (SPC) can behave like a plastic melt rather than particulate filler in blending process. In this study, blends of formulated SPC and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) were prepared. The effects of glycerol and water added to SPC on phase morphology, rheological, thermal, thermal‐dynamic, and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated. The results demonstrated that water was more effective in gelating SPC and transforming it into a plastic than glycerol. With extra water added, SPC in the resulting blend existed as stretched threads with certain degree of interconnectivity between the threads. In contrast, with only glycerol added, SPC existed as large SPC agglomerates. Consequently, the blends made from extra water‐containing SPC exhibited higher mechanical, thermal‐dynamic, and rheological properties.

     

Toughening of PA6/mEPDM Blends by two Methods of Compounding,Extruder and Internal Mixer: Rheological,Morphological and Mechanical Characterization

Blends of polyamide 6 with metallocene rubber as dispersed phase and grafted rubber as compatibilizer were prepared by two methods of compounding, extruder and internal mixer. Rheological measurements and morphological analysis were made in order to study the influence of compounding. The ternary blends with the same maleic anhydride content displayed similar rheological behaviour. On the other hand, the developed morphology is related to the compounding process and blend formulation. The better particle size distribution is achieved in both methods of compounding for blends with 20 wt% of EPDM-g-MA. The addition of EPDM-g-MA improves the mechanical properties compared to blends without compatibilizer. The results confirm that the mechanical properties are more influenced by the compounding process than by the blend composition.     

环氧类增容剂反应增容PLA/PBAT共混体系的研究

以环氧类增容剂(REC)为增容剂,采用双螺杆挤出机熔融共混制备聚乳酸(PLA)/聚对苯二甲酸己二酸丁二醇酯(PBAT)共混物。研究了增容剂对共混体系微观结构、力学性能和热性能的影响。结果表明,添加适量REC可以提高PLA与PBAT的相容性,改善PLA/PBAT共混体系的综合力学性能;REC用量为1.4份时共混体系呈现出良好的相容性,此时共混物冲击强度由268 kJ/m2增加到621 kJ/m2、断裂伸长率提高由222 %增加到357 %。     

Structure and improved properties of PPC/PBAT blends via controlling phase morphology based on melt viscosity

Poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC)/poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends with various composition ratios were prepared via melt mixing using a twin-screw extruder. The effect of melt viscosities of polymers on mechanical behavior, interfacial interaction, thermal properties, rheological responses, and phase morphology was investigated. Results showed that the phase morphology and properties of PPC/PBAT blends were affected by the composition of the blends and the melt viscosities of the two polymers. Results of tensile tests, FTIR, and dynamic rheological measurement of PBAT-rich blends exhibited a better mechanical properties, intermolecular interactions, and compatibility when compared with PPC-rich blends due to the differences of their melt viscosities. Incorporating of PBAT effectively improved the T_g of PPC and the thermal stability of the blends. The T_c of PPC/PBAT blends markedly increased from 37.5 to 66.8 °C with addition of only 10 wt% PPC, indicating an enhanced crystallization ability of PBAT. The improvement of T_c was helpful for blown film extrusion. SEM microphotographs showed that the size of the dispersed phase particles is much smaller and the distribution is more uniform for PBAT-rich blends, compared with that in PPC-rich blends. The processing stability of blown film extrusion was improved by blending PPC with PBAT. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48924.     

Enhancement of the tensile retraction properties of a styrenic block copolymer by melt blending with PA6

Styrene–ethylene‐propylene–styrene triblock copolymer (SEPS), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was blended with polyamide‐6 (PA6) in an attempt to improve the retraction properties of the TPE. A maximum loading of 30 wt % of polyamide was incorporated into SEPS using twin‐screw compounding. Various reactive compatibilisers were also incorporated at a maximum loading of 10 wt %. The blends were evaluated in terms of their tensile, dynamic mechanical, and rheological behavior. Design of experiments (DOE) was used to study the effect of blending variables on the tensile properties of the blends. Complex interactions between these variables were identified using this approach. It was shown that by incorporating PA6 into SEPS, in conjunction with a compatibilizer, blends with superior retraction properties and increased tensile strength could be obtained. A mean hysteresis of 54.2 ± 0.7% was recorded for a blend containing 5 wt % PA6 and 4 wt % compatibilizer compared to 58.5 ± 0.5% for virgin SEPS. The tensile strength of this blend was almost 75% higher than virgin SEPS. Further evidence of the benefit of incorporating a reactive compatibilizer was the absence of a distinct polyamide relaxation in the dynamic mechanical thermograms for the compatibilized blends. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

蛭石/PBAT复合薄膜的制备与性能

使用蛭石（VMT）作为填料,以可生物降解的聚对苯二甲酸-己二酸丁二醇酯（PBAT）作为基体,采用熔融-吹塑法制备出蛭石/聚对苯二甲酸-己二酸丁二醇酯（VMT/PBAT）复合薄膜,并通过添加聚苯乙烯马来酸酐共聚物（SMA）作为相容剂制备了VMT/PBAT/SMA复合薄膜。对纯PBAT薄膜、VMT/PBAT和VMT/PBAT/SMA复合薄膜的热性能、流变性能、水蒸汽阻隔性能、断面微观结构和力学性能进行了测试。结果表明,相比纯PBAT薄膜,蛭石的填充使VMT/PBAT复合薄膜的热稳定性降低,相容剂SMA的添加增强了VMT/PBAT/SMA复合薄膜的热稳定性;蛭石的添加使复合薄膜的结晶度降低了约2%。水蒸汽透过量测试表明,两种复合薄膜水蒸汽阻隔性能符合国家标准;VMT的添加使VMT/PBAT复合薄膜的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率降低,而添加相容剂SMA使VMT/PBAT/SMA复合薄膜的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率相比VMT/PBAT复合薄膜提高约10 %。     

Compatibilization effects in thermoplastic protein/polyester blends

Novatein thermoplastic protein was extrusion blended with poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) in the presence of dual compatibilizers to produce blends with greater energy absorbing properties than pure Novatein. Compatibilizer pairs were Joncryl ADR‐4368 (glycidyl methacrylate‐functionalized) with 2‐methylimidazole (2MI), and poly‐2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline (PEOX) with polymeric diphenyl methane diisocyanate (pMDI). Uncompatibilized Novatein/PBAT blends had decreased tensile mechanical properties, attributed to phase separation, and poor interfacial adhesion. PBAT became finely dispersed in both compatibilized systems, but PEOX/pMDI blends showed embrittlement and large Novatein domains, which acted as stress concentrations. Tensile strength and elongation at break for Joncryl/2MI blends did not decrease compared with Novatein, even at 10 wt % PBAT, and impact strength increased threefold. Dynamic mechanical analysis and solvent extraction showed that PBAT coalesced in all systems, at compositions as low as 2 wt %. It was concluded that using Joncryl/2MI as a dual compatibilizer system can successfully produce a morphology that enhances energy absorption during fracture. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45808.     

扩链剂增容PLA/PBAT共混物流变性能

通过熔融共混法制备了Joncryl ADR 4370F扩链剂增容聚乳酸/聚对苯二甲酸/己二酸丁二酯(PLA/PBAT)共混物,采用旋转流变仪分别研究了扩链剂和PBAT含量对PLA/PBAT共混物动态流变行为的影响.通过动态应变扫描确定了PLA/PBAT共混物的线性黏弹区,应变选取1％;PLA/PBAT共混物的储能模量和...     

Interfacially compatibilized LDPE/POE blends reinforced with nanoclay: investigation of morphology,rheology and dynamic mechanical properties

Morphological, melt rheological and dynamic mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/ethylene–octene copolymer (POE)/organo-montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites, prepared via melt compounding were studied. The XRD traces indicated different levels of intercalated structures for the nanocomposites. Addition of a compatibilizer (PE-g-MA) improved the intercalation process. TEM results revealed existence of clay layers in both phases but they were mainly localized in the elastomeric POE phase. Addition of 5 wt% OMMT to the LDPE/POE blend led to reduction in the size of the elastomer particles confirmed by AFM. The complex viscosity and storage modulus showed little effect of the presence of the clay when no compatibilizer was added. As the extent of exfoliation increased with addition of compatibilizer, the linear viscoelastic behavior of the composites gradually changed specially at low-frequency regions. The interfacially compatibilized nanocomposites with 5 wt% OMMT had the highest melt viscosity and modulus among all the studied nanocomposites and blends. Also, this particular composition showed the best improvement in dynamic storage modulus. The results indicated that clay dispersion and interfacial adhesion, and consequently different properties of LDPE/POE/clay nanocomposites, are greatly affected by addition of compatibilizer.     

Properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and sunflower head residue biocomposites

Utilization of low‐value agricultural waste for polymer composite materials has great environmental and economical benefits. Sunflower head residue (SHR) as an agricultural waste may be used as a reinforcement in polymeric materials because of its fiber characteristics. In this work, composites of biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) and SHR were prepared via melt‐extrusion compounding. To improve interfacial compatibility, maleic anhydride (MA) grafted PBAT (PBAT‐g‐MA) was prepared and used as a compatibilizer for the PBAT/SHR composites. The effects of the concentrations of SHR and PBAT‐g‐MA on the morphology, mechanical properties, melt rheology, and water resistance of the composites were examined. Interfacial adhesion between phases in the PBAT/SHR composites was enhanced by the introduction PBAT‐g‐MA as interface‐strengthening agent, resulting in improved mechanical properties and moisture resistance of the composite. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44644.     

Preparation of polypropylene and polystyrene with NCO and NH2 functional groups and their applications in polypropylene/polystyrene blends

Isocyanate‐ and amine‐functionalized polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) were prepared through grafting and copolymerization method. These compounds are used as precursors for PP‐graft‐PS (PP‐g‐PS) copolymers and reacted at the matrix interface of PP/PS blends. Functionalized polymer structures were characterized by ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The effects of the synthesized compatibilizer on the rheological and morphological behavior of PP/PS blends were investigated systematically. Results showed that the functional polymer was successfully synthesized, and the additional two different compatibilizer systems dramatically decreased the size of the dispersed phase domains in PP/PS blends. Compared with the uncompatibilized blends, compatibilized blends exhibited a slightly higher crystallization temperature because the melting points of the blend components were not evidently affected by the addition of compatibilizer, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. The compatibilizer effect on the PP/PS blends was reflected through rheological property and dynamic mechanical analysis. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:614–623, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Transesterification effects on miscibility polycarbonate/poly(butylene adipate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-terephthalate) blends

The effects of transesterification on the miscibility of polycarbonate (PC)/poly(butylenes adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were investigated. The PC/PBAT blends were prepared with a twin-screw extruder, and then annealed at 260 °C for 5 h to trigger the transesterification reaction. ¹H NMR, FT-IR, and WAXD results indicated that transesterification in the annealed PC/PBAT blends took place and led to the formation of a random copolymer structure. Because the copolymer serves as a compatibilizer, the PC/PBAT blends showed improved miscibility, as confirmed by FE-SEM and DMA analyses. The compatible morphology achieved through transesterification ultimately increased the thermal stability of the PC/PBAT blends. We could thus conclude that transesterification in PC/PBAT blends forms a random copolymer which plays an important role as a compatibilizer and consequently improves the miscibility as well as the thermal properties of the blends.     

Flow Characteristics and Dynamic Behavior of Polyamide 6/Acrylonitile Butadiene Styrene (PA6/ABS) Blends

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of incorporation of maleic anhydride grafted acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS-g-MAH) on rheological properties of PA6/ABS blends. Flow properties of the blends were examined by dynamic and capillary rheometers. The dynamic rheological analyses showed an increase in complex viscosity with the incorporation of a compatibilizer. The reduction of tan δ peaks showed enhanced interfacial interaction between PA6 and ABS phase, which resulted in the enhancement of melt strength. The power law index analysis showed that 1.5 wt.% resulted in minimum n and maximum K value for the blends while still retaining the pseudoplastics behavior necessary for plastics processing and prediction for the end use performance of the PA6/ABS blends.     

Relationship between the interfacial tension and compatibility of polycarbonate and poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) blends with reactive compatibilizers

We studied the morphological, mechanical, and rheological properties of polycarbonate (PC) and poly(acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene) (PolyABS) blends with different types of compatibilizer. Styrene–acrylonitrile–maleic anhydride terpolymer (SAM) was used as a compatibilizer of the blends. For comparison, styrene–acrylonitrile–glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (SAG) was also used as a compatibilizer. For the PC–PolyABS (70/30 wt %) blends with SAM, the mechanical strength and complex viscosity reached a maximum when the SAM concentration was 5 phr. The mechanical and rheological results of the blend were consistent with the morphological result that the PolyABS domain size reached a minimum when the SAM content was 5 phr. The interfacial tension (α) of the blend was compared with the compatibilizer type and content, which were calculated by the Palierne emulsion model with the relaxation time of the PC–PolyABS blend. The α is consistent with the morphological and mechanical properties of the PC–PolyABS blend. The results of the morphological, mechanical, and rheological properties of the blend suggest that SAM was a more effective compatibilizer than SAG, and the optimum compatibilizer content of SAM was 5 phr. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46418.     

聚乳酸微纳复合泡孔的结构与性能研究

通过熔融共混制备聚乳酸（PLA）/聚（己二酸丁二酯?对苯二甲酸丁二酯）（PBAT）共混物。以环氧扩链剂（CE）为相容剂,研究了CE含量对共混物的流变行为、结晶行为的影响,并研究了CE含量为5份的共混物在冷结晶温度下的发泡行为以及泡沫的拉伸性能。结果表明,共混体系的相容性、结晶速率随着CE含量的增加而增加、可发性提高,在添加了5份CE的共混物中得到了微纳复合泡孔,泡孔密度达到10¹³ 个/cm³,相对于PLA泡沫,共混物泡沫的断裂伸长率提高了40 %。     

PPC/PBAT共混复合材料性能的研究

采用双螺杆挤出机制备了聚碳酸亚丙酯/聚对苯二甲酸-己二酸丁二酯共混复合材料(PPC/PBAT)。考察了PPC、扩链剂和增塑剂用量对该共混材料力学性能和流变性能的影响。研究结果表明:在PPC/PBAT共混体系中,随PPC用量的增加,拉伸强度逐渐提高,而断裂伸长率和熔体流动速率(MFR)不断降低;而扩链剂二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)的引入,改善了PPC与PBAT的相容性,且随着MDI用量的增加,共混材料的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率呈增加趋势,而MFR则持续降低;另外,当体系中加入增塑剂柠檬酸三丁酯后,随其用量的增加,PPC/PBAT共混材料的拉伸强度降低,而断裂伸长率和MFR持续提高。     

Formulation and characterization of compatibilized poly(lactic acid)‐based blends and their nanocomposites with silver‐loaded kaolinite

Biodegradable polymer nanocomposites have been developed in this study as materials for use in the packaging of moisture‐sensitive products. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) was the main component of the nanocomposites with poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) as flexibility enhancer. Tetrabutyl titanate was also added as a compatibilizer to enhance the interfacial affinity between PLA and PBAT by inducing the formation of some PLA/PBAT via transesterification during the melt blending process, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the blends. Silver‐loaded kaolinite synthesized via chemical reduction was also incorporated into the compatibilized blends for further property improvement. Herein, we report a novel biodegradable quaternary nanocomposite system with intercalated‐exfoliated clay dispersion that was uniquely achieved by increasing the interlamellar space between kaolinite layers through silver nanoparticle insertion. The resultant nanocomposites containing as little as 4 phr modified clay reduced the elongation at break from 213.0 ± 5.85% to 53.8 ± 1.81%, enhanced thermal stability (initial decomposition temperature increased from 378 °C to 399 °C) and exhibited a water vapor permeability reduction of 41.85%. On the basis of these properties, the developed nanocomposites are considered to be promising candidates for use in bio‐packaging applications to replace non‐biodegradable and petro‐based plastics. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relationship between morphology and mechanical properties of binary and compatibilized ternary blends of polypropylene and nylon 6

The effect of compatibilization on the morphology, mechanical properties, and dynamic mechanical properties of isotactic polypropylene (IPP)/nylon-6 (Ny-6) binary blends was investigated. Maleic anhydride (MAH) functionalized IPP was used as a compatibilizer in binary blends. The morphological, mechanical, and dynamic mechanical properties of binary and ternary blends were compared. The blends containing IPP-g-MAH showed more regular and finer dispersion of phases, different dynamic properties, and improved mechanical properties due to better adhesion between the two phases. The blends were also characterized for their flow properties and extent of water absorption. The melting peak temperature and percent crystallinity of IPP and Ny-6 phases were decreased in compatibilized blends. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.