Effect of triblock copolymers based on liquid natural rubber and low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) on physical properties of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blend

Polymer Bulletin volume 78, pages1253–1273(2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Triblock copolymers of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) (PLA–NR–PLA) with different lengths of PLA end blocks were produced from hydroxyl-terminated liquid natural rubber (HTLNR) and low molecular weight PLA (pre-PLA). The HTLNR with a number-average molecular weight \((\bar{M}_{\text{n}} )\) ~ 28,000 g/mol obtained from photochemical degradation of NR and pre-PLA with varying molecular weight (\(\bar{M}_{\text{n}}\) ~ 3000, ~ 6500, ~ 9700 g/mol) was subjected to condensation polymerization. The compatibilizing effect of copolymers on the physical properties of the PLA/NR blend was studied using PLA/NR/PLA–NR–PLA blend ratios of 90/10/0, 90/9/1, 90/8/2 and 90/7/3 percent by weight (wt%). From the tensile testing results, elongation at break of the blends increased with an increase in the amount of triblock copolymer and with the length of the PLA end block. The blend without the copolymer showed elongation at break of 60.54%, whereas the blend with 3 wt% of PLA–NR–PLA prepared from pre-PLA with \(\bar{M}_{\text{n}}\) of ~ 9700 g/mol showed elongation at break of 199.38%. This was about a 300% increase. The highest impact strength of 79.58 kJ/m2 (400% higher than neat PLA) was also found for the blend containing 3 wt% of PLA–NR–PLA with the longest PLA end block. A reduction in the diameter and well dispersion of the rubber particles in the PLA matrix were seen in micrographs taken with a scanning electron microscope. In general, after the addition of PLA–NR–PLA into a PLA/NR blend, the Tg of NR phase shifted to a higher temperature, whereas the Tg of the PLA phase decreased. The PLA–NR–PLA triblock copolymer with the longest PLA end block is possibly used as an effective compatibilizer for the PLA/NR blend.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the National Research Council of Thailand and Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, for financial support on this work.

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Affiliations

  1. School of Polymer Engineering, Institute of Engineering, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, 30000, Thailand

    Sawitri Srisuwan, Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat & Pranee Chumsamrong

  2. Center of Excellence on Petrochemical and Materials Technology, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand

    Sawitri Srisuwan, Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat & Pranee Chumsamrong

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  1. Sawitri Srisuwan
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  2. Yupaporn Ruksakulpiwat
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Correspondence to Pranee Chumsamrong.

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Srisuwan, S., Ruksakulpiwat, Y. & Chumsamrong, P. Effect of triblock copolymers based on liquid natural rubber and low molecular weight poly(lactic acid) on physical properties of poly(lactic acid)/natural rubber blend. Polym. Bull. 78, 1253–1273 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03158-8

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Keywords

  • Natural rubber
  • Block copolymer
  • Compatibilizer
  • Poly(lactic acid)
  • Physical properties