Biobased Poly(lactide)/ethylene-co-vinyl Acetate Thermoplastic Vulcanizates: Morphology Evolution, Superior Properties, and Partial Degradability

Piming Ma, Pengwu Xu, Yinghao Zhai, Weifu Dong, Yong Zhang and Mingqing Chen

Location

ACS Publications

Abstract

Partially biobased thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) with novel morphology, superior properties and partial degradability were prepared by dynamic cross-link of saturated poly(lactide) and ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (PLA/EVA) blends using 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane (AD) as a free radical initiator. EVA showed higher reactivity with free radicals in comparison with PLA, leading to much higher gel content of the EVA phase (Gf-EVA) than that of the PLA phase (Gf-PLA). However, the Gf-PLA increased more steeply at AD content larger than 1 wt % where the reaction of EVA approached to a saturation point. The competing reaction changed the viscosity ratio of the two components (ηPLA/ηEVA) that resulted in a novel morphology evolution of the TPV, i.e., from sea–island-type morphology to phase inversion via a dual-continuous network-like transition and finally cocontinuity again with increasing the AD content. The cross-link and phase inversion considerably enhanced the melt viscosity (η*), elasticity (G′) and the solid-like behavior of the PLA/EVA-based TPV. Meanwhile, superior tensile strength (σt = 21 MPa), low tensile set (Ts = 30%), moderate elongation (εb = 200%) and suitable stiffness (E′ = 350 MPa, 25 °C) were successfully achieved by tailoring the cross-link structure and phase morphology. In addition, the TPV are partially degradable in aqueous alkali. A degradation rate of approximately 5 wt % was achieved within 10 weeks at 25 °C and the degradation mechanism was investigated from both molecular and macroscopic levels. Therefore, this work provides a new type of partially biobased and degradable materials for substitution of traditional TPV.

Let's make the use of biobased and recovered raw materials the new standard.

Let's make the use of biobased and recovered raw materials the new standard.

Let's make the use of biobased and recovered raw materials the new standard.