Rheological and topological characterizations of electron beam irradiation prepared long-chain branched polylactic acid

Recent progress of preparation of branched poly(lactic acid) and its application in the modification of polylactic acid materials

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) with branched structure has abundant terminal groups, high melt strength, good rheological properties, and excellent processability; it is a new research and application direction of PLA materials. This study mainly summarizes the molecular structure design, preparation methods, basic properties of branched PLA, and its application in modified PLA materials. The structure and properties of branched PLA prepared by ring-opening polymerization of monomer, functional group polycondensation, and chain extender in the processing process were introduced. The research progress of in situ formation of branched PLA by initiators, multifunctional monomers/additives through dynamic vulcanization, and irradiation induction was described. The effect of branched PLA on the structure and properties of linear PLA materials was analyzed. The role of branched PLA in improving the crystallization behavior, phase morphology, foaming properties, and mechanical properties of linear PLA materials was discussed. At the same time, its research progress in biomedicine and tissue engineering was analyzed. Branched PLA has excellent compatibility with PLA, which has important research value in regulating the structure and properties of PLA materials.

Shear-induced enhancements of crystallization kinetics and morphological transformation for long chain branched polylactides with different branching degrees

The effects of long chain branching (LCB) degree on the shear-induced isothermal crystallization kinetics of a series of LCB polylactides (LCB PLAs) have been investigated by using rotational rheometer, polarized optical microscopy (POM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dynamic viscoelastic properties obtained by small-amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests indicate that LCB PLAs show more broadened relaxation time spectra with increasing LCB degree. Upon a pre-shear at the shear rate of 1 s⁻¹ LCB PLAs show much faster crystallization kinetics than linear PLA and the crystallization kinetics is enhanced with increasing LCB degree. By modeling the system as a suspension the quantitative evaluation of nucleation density can be derived from rheological experiments. The nucleation density is greatly enhanced with increasing LCB degree and a saturation in shear time is observed. Crystalline morphologies for LCB PLAs observed by POM and SEM demonstrate the enhancement of nucleation density with increasing LCB degree and a transformation from spherulitic to orientated crystalline morphologies. The observation can be ascribed to longer relaxation time of the longest macromolecular chains and broadened, complex relaxation behaviors due to the introduction of LCB into PLA, which is essential in stabilizing the orientated crystal nuclei after pre-shear.

Preparation and characterization of long chain branched polycarbonates with significantly enhanced environmental stress cracking behavior through gamma radiation with addition of difunctional monomer

A series of long chain branched polycarbonates (LCB-PCs) was prepared with unique topological structures and significantly enhanced ESC properties.

Biodegradable Polyesters from Renewable Resources

Environmental concerns have led to the development of biorenewable polymers with the ambition to utilize them at an industrial scale. Poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxyalkanoates) are semicrystalline, biorenewable polymers that have been identified as the most promising alternatives to conventional plastics. However, both are inherently susceptible to brittleness and degradation during thermal processing; we discuss several approaches to overcome these problems to create a balance between durability and biodegradability. For example, copolymers and blends can increase ductility and the thermal-processing window. Furthermore, chain modifications (e.g., branching/crosslinking), processing techniques (fiber drawing/annealing), or additives (plasticizers/nucleating agents) can improve mechanical properties and prevent thermal degradation during processing. Finally, we examine the impacts of morphology on end-of-life degradation to complete the picture for the most common renewable polymers.