Effect of nucleating agent incorporation on the crystallization and mechanical properties of polylactide/polyamide elastomer blends

ABSTRACT

The widespread application of polylactide (PLA) has been limited by its slow crystallization rate and poor toughness. In the present work, a low molecular weight nucleator, TMC 301, and polyamide elastomer (PAE) were incorporated into PLA through melt blending to mediate both the crystallization capability and impact toughness. It was found that the introduction of TMC 301 decreased the crystallization temperature of PLA during the cooling process, while enhancing its cold crystallization capacity of PLA in the heating scan. Accordingly, the presence of TMC 301 shortened the half-crystallization time of PLA at 95°C in the ternary blends with minimal influence on the Avrami index. Moreover, the dispersion size of PAE decreased when the concentration of TMC 301 increased to 0.3 wt%, leading to a substantial increase in the tensile toughness and the impact strength of the PLA/PAE/TMC 301 blend. It is suggested that the size of the elastomer particles is a critical factor influencing the toughening efficiency of TMC301 in PLA/PAE blends.

Graphical abstract

The nucleator TMC 301 and polyamide elastomer (PAE) were incorporated into PLA through melt blending to enhance both crystallization capability and toughness. The phase structure, crystallization behavior and the mechanical performances were studied.

KEYWORDS:

• Crystallization behavior
• mechanical properties
• nucleating agent
• polyamide elastomer
• polylactide

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [22303052].

Notes on contributors

Xiang Zhang

Xiang Zhang is a graduate student in Beijing Technology and Business University. His field of research includes reinforced biodegradable polymers.

Haochen Li

Haochen Li is a graduate student in Beijing Technology and Business University. His field of research includes structure and property relationship study of biodegradable polymers.

Rongbo Li

Rongbo Li is a senior engineer in Department of Polyolefin Science & Technology, PetroChina Petrochemical Research Institute. He received his Ph.D. degrees from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2010. His research interests include polymers and polymer composites.

Chunyi Kan

Chunyi Kan is an undergraduate graduated from Beijing Technology and Business University. Her field of research includes modification of biodegradable polymers.

Xia Dong

Xia Dong is a professor in Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She received her Ph.D. degrees from Dong Hua University in 2001. His field of research includes microstructure control and performance enhancement of polymeric materials.

Qian Xing

Qian Xing is an associate professor in Beijing Technology and Business University. She received her Ph.D. degrees from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2013. Her field of research includes performance enhancement of biodegradable polymers and the relationship between polymer structure and properties.

Zefan Wang

Zefan Wang is a professor in Shenzhen University. He received her Ph.D. degrees from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2018. His field of research includes structure and property relationships of polymers.