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Patel KG, Maynard RK, Ferguson LS, Broich ML, Bledsoe JC, Wood CC, Crane GH, Bramhall JA, Rust JM, Williams-Rhaesa A, Locklin JJ. Experimentally Determined Hansen Solubility Parameters of Biobased and Biodegradable Polyesters. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2024; 12:2386-2393. [PMID: 38362530 PMCID: PMC10865435 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c07284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) of 15 commercially relevant biobased and biodegradable polyesters were experimentally determined by applying a novel approach to the classic solubility study method. In this approach, the extent of swelling in polymer films was determined using a simple equation based on the mass difference between swollen and nonswollen film samples to obtain normalized solvent uptake (N). Using N and HSPiP software, highly accurate HSP values were obtained for all 15 polyesters. Qualitative evaluation of the HSP values was conducted by predicting the miscibility of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHB-co-HHx, 7 mol % HHx) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with a novel lignin-based plasticizer (ethyl 3-(4-ethoxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propanoate, EP) with a relative energy difference (RED) less than 0.4. Additionally, an HSP-predicted plasticizer (di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, DA) with a larger RED (>0.7) was used to demonstrate the effects of less-miscible additives. Plasticized samples were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy (POM) to determine the Tg depression, with EP showing linear Tg depression up to 50% plasticizer loading, whereas DA shows minimal Tg depression past 10% loading. Further analysis by POM reveals that the DA phase separates from both polymers at loadings as low as 2.5% (PHB-co-HHx, 7 mol % HHx) and 5% (PLA), while the EP phase separates at a much higher loading of 50% (PHB-co-HHx, 7 mol% HHx) and 30% (PLA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kush G. Patel
- School
of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, 597 D.W. Brooks Dr., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Ryan K. Maynard
- Department
of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, 140 Cedar Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Lawrence S. Ferguson
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Michael L. Broich
- School
of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, 597 D.W. Brooks Dr., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Joshua C. Bledsoe
- Department
of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, 140 Cedar Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Caitlin C. Wood
- Department
of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, 140 Cedar Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Grant H. Crane
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jessica A. Bramhall
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jonathan M. Rust
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Amanda Williams-Rhaesa
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
| | - Jason J. Locklin
- School
of Chemical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Georgia, 597 D.W. Brooks Dr., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, 140 Cedar Street, Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
- New
Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend R., Athens, Georgia 30602, United States
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Marbach L, Mörbitz P. Electron Beam-Induced Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT Blends in Presence of Epoxidized Soybean Oil. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3265. [PMID: 37571157 PMCID: PMC10422577 DOI: 10.3390/polym15153265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Blending of polymers can enhance performance of plastics and can give the opportunity to broaden the application fields. Especially the brittleness of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is an issue, that is often addressed by blending it with soft polymers like poly(butylene adipate terephthalate) (PBAT). The immiscibility of those two polymers leads to limited properties of the blend. This study aimed to examine the application of electron-beam treatment with the implementation of a compatibilizing agent. PLA and PBAT were compounded with the addition of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) in different ratios and extruded into flat films. These were treated with electron beams at irradiation doses ranging from 12.5 to 100 kGy. The films thus produced were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, size exclusion chromatography, scanning electron microscopy and tensile testing. A significant change in the glass transition temperatures of the blend partners was observed, as well as a substantial increase in elongation at break, even in PLA-rich compositions. These findings indicate improved compatibilization. Furthermore, the use of epoxidized soybean oil showed a changed extraction behavior of PBAT, indicating a formed binding to PLA. The results show that electron-beam treatment can significantly improve the compatibility between different polymers in blends, leading to enhanced mechanical and thermal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Marbach
- Department of Circular and Bio-Based Plastics, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology, Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany;
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitaetsstr. 150, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Philip Mörbitz
- Department of Circular and Bio-Based Plastics, Fraunhofer UMSICHT, Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology, Osterfelder Str. 3, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany;
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Arman Alim AA, Baharum A, Mohammad Shirajuddin SS, Anuar FH. Blending of Low-Density Polyethylene and Poly(Butylene Succinate) (LDPE/PBS) with Polyethylene-Graft-Maleic Anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a Compatibilizer on the Phase Morphology, Mechanical and Thermal Properties. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15020261. [PMID: 36679142 PMCID: PMC9860711 DOI: 10.3390/polym15020261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is of significant concern that the buildup of non-biodegradable plastic waste in the environment may result in long-term issues with the environment, the economy and waste management. In this study, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) was compounded with different contents of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) at 10-50 wt.%, to evaluate the potential of replacing commercial plastics with a biodegradable renewable polymer, PBS for packaging applications. The morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of the LDPE/PBS blends were examined in relation to the effect of polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) as a compatibilizer. LDPE/PBS/PE-g-MA blends were fabricated via the melt blending method using an internal mixer and then were compression molded into test samples. The presence of LDPE, PBS and PE-g-MA individually in the matrix for each blend presented physical interaction between the constituents, as shown by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The morphology of LDPE/PBS/PE-g-MA blends showed improved compatibility and homogeneity between the LDPE matrix and PBS phase. Compatibilized LDPE/PBS blends showed an improvement in the tensile strength, with 5 phr of compatibilizer providing the optimal content. The thermal stability of LDPE/PBS blends decreased with higher PBS content and the thermal stability of compatibilized blends was higher in contrast to the uncompatibilized blends. Therefore, our research demonstrated that the partial substitution of LDPE with a biodegradable PBS and the incorporation of the PE-g-MA compatibilizer could develop an innovative blend with improved structural, mechanical and thermal properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Aqila Arman Alim
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Azizah Baharum
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
- Polymer Research Center (PORCE), Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Farah Hannan Anuar
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
- Polymer Research Center (PORCE), Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
- Correspondence:
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The Use of Branching Agents in the Synthesis of PBAT. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14091720. [PMID: 35566889 PMCID: PMC9100140 DOI: 10.3390/polym14091720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Biodegradable polyesters represent an advanced alternative to polyolefin plastics in various applications. Polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) can compete with polyolefins in terms of their mechanical characteristics and melt processing conditions. The properties of PBAT depend on the molecular weight, dispersity, and architecture of the copolymer. Long-chain branching (LCB) of the PBAT backbone is an efficient method for the improvement of the copolymer characteristics. In the present work, we studied branching agents (BAs) 1–7 of different structures in the two-stage polycondensation of 1,4-butanediol, dimethyl terephthalate, and adipic acid and investigated the composition and melt rheology of the copolymers. According to the results of the research, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane 2 and 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methylpropanoic acid 5 outperformed glycerol 1 as BAs in terms of shear thinning behavior and viscoelasticity.
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