Synthesis of the Composites of Polylactic Acid with Arabinogalactan by Ball Milling and Electron Beam Irradiation

The new composites of polylactic acid (D-isomer, PDLA) with arabinogalactan (AG) were obtained using ball milling with subsequent heating and electron beam irradiation of the mixtures of PDLA with AG. The formation of composites was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography and IR spectroscopy. The structure and physicochemical properties of the products were studied by X-ray phase analysis, thermal analysis methods, and dissolution in water. It was shown that heating of the ball-milled PDLA–AG mixture followed by electron beam irradiation led to cross-linking of the polymers, with the formation of water-soluble and water-insoluble adducts. The PDLA–AG composite obtained by irradiation is characterized by resistance to crystallization upon heating.