Blending PLA with Polyesters Based on 2,5-Furan Dicarboxylic Acid: Evaluation of Physicochemical and Nanomechanical Properties

Zoi Terzopoulou; Alexandra Zamboulis; Lazaros Papadopoulos; Maria-Eirini Grigora; Konstantinos Tsongas; Dimitrios Tzetzis; Dimitrios N. Bikiaris; George Z. Papageorgiou

doi:10.3390/polym14214725

Polymers (Nov 2022)

Blending PLA with Polyesters Based on 2,5-Furan Dicarboxylic Acid: Evaluation of Physicochemical and Nanomechanical Properties

Zoi Terzopoulou,
Alexandra Zamboulis,
Lazaros Papadopoulos,
Maria-Eirini Grigora,
Konstantinos Tsongas,
Dimitrios Tzetzis,
Dimitrios N. Bikiaris,
George Z. Papageorgiou

Affiliations

Zoi Terzopoulou: Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece
Alexandra Zamboulis: Laboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Lazaros Papadopoulos: Laboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Maria-Eirini Grigora: Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14km, N. Moudania, GR-57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Konstantinos Tsongas: Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14km, N. Moudania, GR-57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Dimitrios Tzetzis: Digital Manufacturing and Materials Characterization Laboratory, School of Science and Technology, International Hellenic University, 14km, N. Moudania, GR-57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
Dimitrios N. Bikiaris: Laboratory of Polymer and Colors Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
George Z. Papageorgiou: Department of Chemistry, University of Ioannina, GR-45110 Ioannina, Greece

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14214725
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 21
p. 4725

Abstract

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Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a readily available, compostable biobased polyester with high strength and toughness, and it is excellent for 3D printing applications. Polymer blending is an economic and easy way to improve its properties, such as its slow degradation and crystallization rates and its small elongation, and thus, make it more versatile. In this work, the effects of different 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA)-based polyesters on the physicochemical and mechanical properties of PLA were studied. Poly(butylene furan 2,5-dicarboxylate) (PBF) and its copolymers with poly(butylene adipate) (PBAd) were synthesized in various comonomer ratios and were blended with 70 wt% PLA using melt compounding. The thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of the blends are investigated. All blends were immiscible, and the presence of the dispersed phases improved the crystallization ability of PLA. Mechanical testing revealed the plasticization of PLA after blending, and a small but measurable mass loss after burying in soil for 7 months. Reactive blending was evaluated as a compatibilizer-free method to improve miscibility, and it was found that when the thermal stability of the blend components allowed it, some transesterification reactions occurred between the PLA matrix and the FDCA-based dispersed phase after 20 min at 250 °C.

Published in Polymers

ISSN: 2073-4360 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Organic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/polymers/

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