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ABSTRACT
This study was to investigate the influence of incorporating poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with different stereo-regularities into poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA)/poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). The PBSA/PBS matrix phase was fixed at 70/30 wt%, whereas the PLA contents were varied from 10 to 30 wt%. Two grades of PLAs with different D-lactide contents of 4.0% (Hi-PLA) and 1.0% (Lo-PLA) were used. The developed microstructures and morphologies of dispersed PLA phases were purposed from DSC and WAXD studies. Basically, the presence of PLAs in ternary blends significantly enhanced the bubble stability during film blowing. According to the different chain backbones of PLA, Hi-PLA was completely melted during the extrusion process and coalescence led to a larger size of the dispersed phase. The biaxial deformation of dispersed Hi-PLA occurred in bubble inflation stages bringing to the layer-like morphology. Conversely, the cold crystallization occurred in Lo-PLA droplets which could not further deform during the bubble forming. The different reinforcing morphologies of these PLA minor phases were investigated and correlated with their mechanical properties of ternary blend films. A good balance of stiffness and toughness was achieved from ternary blend containing 10 wt% of Hi-PLA. Finally, the developed PBSA/PBS/PLA films can be suggested as a suitable packaging for environmental sustainability.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully thankful to the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and the Ministry of Science and Technology, Thailand for financial supports. We are also thankful to everyone in Plastics Technology Research Team for their kindly helps and appreciative to the Total Corbion PLA (Thailand) Co., Ltd. for providing the PLA resins.
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Notes on contributors
Narumon Puekpoonpoal
Narumon Puekpoonpoal received her M.Sc. degree in Material Science from Chulalongkorn University, and her B.Eng degree in petrochemical and polymeric materials from Silpakorn University. Currently, she is an assistant research at the Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of the National Science and Technology Department Agency (NSTDA), Thailand. Her current research interests are biodegradable polymers, polymer blends and polymer processing.
Supanut Phattarateera
Dr. Supanut Phattarateera is a member of plastic technology laboratory in the Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of the National Science and Technology Department Agency (NSTDA), Thailand. His published research includes polymer blends, elastomer and rubbers, polymer composite and compounding especially in film extrusions and flexible packaging. He obtained his PhD degree in Engineer from Thammasat University. He obtained master’s degree in polymer science and engineering and bachelor’s degree in petrochemical and polymeric materials from Silpakorn University.
Noppadon Kerddonfag
Dr. Noppadon Kerddonfag is a Researcher in the Advanced Polymer Technology Research Group, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of the National Science and Technology Department Agency (NSTDA), Thailand. His published research includes polymer blends and compounding, film extrusions, flexible packaging, and modified atmosphere packaging for fresh produce. He obtained his Master’s and PhD degree in Material Science from Chulalongkorn University and the bachelor’s degree in petrochemical and polymeric materials from Silpakorn University.
Duangdao Aht-Ong
Dr.Duangdao Aht-Ong is an Associate Professor of Polymer Science and Engineering at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. She earned her Bachelor degree of science (1st Class Honor, Gold Medal Award) in Materials Science from Chulalongkorn University and then obtained her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USA. Her research areas of interest are in the fields of (1) green polymers, mainly focusing on biobased and biodegradable plastics, materials recycling and agricultural wastes utilization and (2) composites and nanomaterials, including polymer composites, natural fiber composites, surface modification, nanocomposite materials, nanofiber, nanostarch, and nanocellulose. She is the author of over 80 papers, with over 1560 citations. She was awarded the Outstanding Young Scientist Award in the Technology Field from Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University in 2010, L’Oreal Thailand “For Woman in Science” Fellowship for “Material Science” Research from L’Oreal Thailand and The Thai National Commission for United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2010, and the Most Cited Researcher Award in the Technology Filed from Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University in 2018.