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The Preparation and Properties of Thermo-reversibly Cross-linked Rubber Via Diels-Alder Chemistry
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Structural Features and Properties' Characterization of Polylactic Acid/Natural Rubber Blends with Epoxidized Soybean
Andrey Burkov1, Alexander Kraev1, Maxim Grishin2
1Department Chemistry and Technology Polymer Processing, Vyatka State University, 610000 Kirov, Russia.
Polymers
|April 3, 2021
Summary
This study enhances eco-friendly packaging by blending polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO). The addition of ESO improves material compatibility, thermal stability, and mechanical properties for sustainable packaging solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Science
- Sustainable Materials
Background:
- Growing demand for eco-friendly materials drives interest in bio-based polymers.
- Polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) are prominent biopolymers with desirable properties.
- Improving compatibility in polymer blends is crucial for advanced material development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the compatibility and properties of polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) blends.
- To investigate the role of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as a plasticizer and compatibilizer.
- To identify optimal PLA-NR-ESO compositions for packaging applications.
Main Methods:
- Blending PLA and NR using a double-rotor mixer.
- Incorporating epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as a plasticizer and compatibilizer.
- Utilizing thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for material characterization.
Main Results:
- Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) significantly improved phase compatibility between PLA and NR.
- ESO addition enhanced molecular chain mobility and thermal stability of the PLA-NR blends.
- Increased ESO content led to a reduction in the size of NR domains within the PLA matrix.
- Optimal PLA-NR-ESO compositions exhibited superior mechanical properties.
Conclusions:
- Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) is an effective natural plasticizer and compatibilizer for PLA-NR blends.
- The developed PLA-NR-ESO materials show potential for sustainable packaging applications.
- Further optimization of ESO content can yield materials with enhanced mechanical performance.
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