Effects of N-octyl lactate as plasticizer on the thermal and functional properties of extruded PLA-based films

Films of poly(l-lactide) (PLA) plasticized with varying levels of N-octyl lactate (NOL) were prepared by extrusion. The thermal and functional properties of the blends were investigated by SEM, DSC, TGA, tensile, opacity, water vapor permeability, and water contact angle tests. The compatibility of the plasticizer with PLA was confirmed by DSC and SEM analysis. A higher plasticizing effect on the thermal properties of PLA was generally observed with the increase in NOL content. Additionally, the mechanical properties were improved with the increase in NOL content. The mechanical resistance of the films could be related to their glass transition temperature. The effect of the concentration of plasticizer on the opacity of the films was negligible. The water vapor permeability of the PLA/NOL composite films increased with the increase in the concentration of NOL; however, the values observed were still lower than the water vapor permeability of commercial LDPE films. In conclusion, the extruded PLA-based films with NOL plasticizers could be used as food-packaging materials.