DOX mediated synthesis of PLA-co-PS graft copolymers with matrix-driven self-assembly in PLA-based blends

• Intriguing phase morphology was formed through self-assembly of polylactide-polystyrene (PLA-co-PS) graft copolymers blended with polylactide (PLA). PLA-co-PS graft copolymers were synthesized by exploiting a styrene-functionalized 1,3-Dioxolan-4-one (StyDOX) monomer through a two-step procedure and their structure was confirmed. Different amounts of PLA-co-PS and commercial PLA were solution cast to blend films. Etching of amorphous PLA revealed the presence of spherical micrometer sized domains dispersed within the films, arising from the self-assembly behavior of PLA-co-PS caused by the immiscibility of PS-grafts in the PLA matrix. EDS and IR imaging analyses further revealed that these microspheres were characterized by a PS-rich core opposed to the PLA-rich outer shell, which is expected to be miscible and able to form favorable interactions with the PLA matrix. PLA/PS blends were also prepared with different loadings of PLA-co-PS. The ability of PLA-co-PS to compatibilize the two phases was assessed through rheological analyses. Finally, the possibility to chemically recycle the copolymer was evaluated. 

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Polymerkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Polymer Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Blending

Etching

Graft copolymers

Grafting (chemical)

Infrared imaging

Self assembly

Styrene

Blend films

Functionalized

Graft- copolymers

matrix

Phase morphology

Poly lactide

Self-assembly behaviors

Solution-cast

Synthesised

Two-step procedure

Polyesters

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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