Improvements in the Rheological Properties, Impact Strength, and the Biodegradability of PLA/PCL Blend Compatibilized by Electron-Beam Irradiation in the Presence of a Reactive Agent

Abstract

In this study, we blended poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) into poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and compatibilized these PLA/PCL blends by electron-beam irradiation in the presence of a reactive agent to overcome drawbacks of PLA. To produce compatibilized blends, mixtures of the PLA/PCL/reactive agent were prepared using a twin-screw extruder and exposed to electron-beam radiation at room temperature. Glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) was chosen as the reactive agent to achieve interfacial cross-copolymerization between PLA and PCL phases. Morphological, rheological, and mechanical properties and biodegradabilities of blends were investigated. The morphological study showed significantly improved interfacial adhesion for compatibilized blends, and this was supported by FTIR analysis and a rheological study. Impact strengths, thermal stabilities, and rheological properties of PLA/PCL blends were improved by compatibilization, and the biodegradabilities of compatibilized PLA/PCL blends were greater than that of pure PLA.