Experimental study demonstrates enhanced mechanical and rheological properties in PLA/PBAT blends via biobased polyol grafting, indicating viable routes for sustainable packaging.
Key Points
To synthesize a castor oil-based biobased polyol and evaluate its ability to improve interfacial compatibilization and mechanical toughness in immiscible PLA/PBAT blends via reactive melt extrusion.
Synthesized a biobased polyol (COP) from castor oil using transesterification followed by esterification with itaconic acid.
Blended immiscible PLA and PBAT polymers via reactive melt extrusion using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as a radical initiator for interfacial grafting.
Evaluated blend morphology, crystallization, and performance using tensile testing, dynamic rheology, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis across varying COP and DCP concentrations.
COP served as an effective amphiphilic compatibilizer, with low peroxide loading driving radical-mediated interfacial grafting to improve stress transfer and melt elasticity.
An optimal blend containing 2.5 phr COP and 0.2 phr DCP achieved a balanced increase in both tensile strength and ductility alongside a refined crystalline structure.
Exceeding the optimal additive threshold caused interfacial saturation and matrix softening, which degraded overall mechanical properties.