PLLA microalloys versus PLLA nanoalloys: preparation, morphologies, and properties.
Nanostructured polymer blends have attracted significant attention recently. In this paper, the poly(lactic acid) (PLLA)/ethylene-co-acrylic ester-co-glycidyl methacrylate (E-AE-GMA) rubber (80/20) nanoalloys and microalloys were fabricated by melt blending and the structure-property relationships of the prepared alloys were investigated. In the nanoalloys, the rubber domains are homogeneously dispersed in the PLLA matrix with the overall domain size of <100 nm. Such nanoalloys exhibit not only high transparency in the visible region, but also significantly improved ductility and impact strength, compared with neat PLLA. Moreover, the nanodomains in the PLLA matrix enhance the crystallization rate of PLLA drastically. The overall crystallization rate of the PLLA nanoalloy is even higher than that of the PLLA nucleated by talc. In contrast, the PLLA microalloy has a phase structure with the size of the rubber domains being in the micrometer to submicrometer scale. The microalloy is opaque and displays almost the same tensile strength and modulus as the nanoalloy, but much higher impact strength than the nanoalloy.
College of Material, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hangzhou Normal University , No. 16 Xuelin Rd., Xiasha High-tech Zone, Hangzhou 310036, People's Republic of China.
Wenyong
W
Dong
Fanhui
F
Jiang
Liping
L
Zhao
Jichun
J
You
Xiaojun
X
Cao
Yongjin
Y
Li
D000497:Alloys / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008863:Microspheres; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology
D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)