Properties of Stereocomplex PLA for Melt Spinning

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Materials Science
• Textile Engineering

Background:

• Biopolymer fibers are eco-friendly alternatives but often lack sufficient strength for textile applications.
• Developing high-performance biopolymer fibers is crucial for sustainable resource and environmental conservation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the technical-scale formation of stereocomplex poly(lactide) (scPLA) from high-molecular-weight poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA).
• To compare the properties and melt spinning behavior of scPLA with standard semi-crystalline PLA (msPLA) for fiber production.

Main Methods:

• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the degree of crystallization.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) to analyze crystal structure.
• Rheological analysis (melt spinning) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) to assess processing and stability.

Main Results:

• scPLA achieved a higher degree of crystallization (59.7%) compared to msPLA (47.0%).
• XRD confirmed a pure stereocomplex crystal structure for scPLA and semi-crystallinity for msPLA.
• scPLA exhibited lower complex viscosity than msPLA but similar viscoelastic behavior; thermal stability and biodegradability were influenced by molecular weight and crystallinity, respectively.

Conclusions:

• scPLA demonstrates superior crystallinity and potential for melt-spun fibers with technical strengths.
• The findings support scPLA as a promising material for developing advanced technical textiles with improved performance characteristics.
• Crystallinity is a key factor influencing the biodegradability of PLA materials.