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Preparation and properties of biodegradable polymeric blends from poly(propylene carbonate) and poly(ethylene‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)
Author(s) -
Wang X. L.,
Du F. G.,
Jiao J.,
Meng Y. Z.,
Li R. K. Y.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.30806
Subject(s) - materials science , thermogravimetric analysis , differential scanning calorimetry , ultimate tensile strength , vinyl alcohol , thermal stability , crystallization , thermoplastic , composite material , propylene carbonate , chemical engineering , polymer , chemistry , physics , electrode , electrochemistry , engineering , thermodynamics
Biodegradable blends of poly(propylene carbonate)/ethylene–vinyl alcohol copolymers (PPC/EVOH) were melt prepared. The mechanical strength, crystallization and melting behavior, morphologies, and thermal properties of these blends were fully investigated using tensile tester, modulated differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The results indicated that the thermal stability of blends could be enhanced by increasing EVOH content. No change was observed for the tensile strength when EVOH content was lower than 30 wt %. The tensile strength, however, increased obviously with increasing EVOH content when EVOH content was higher than 30 wt %. The crystallization behavior of the PPC/EVOH blends was studied accordingly. The degradability test showed that the weight loss of PPC/EVOH blends increased with increasing EVOH content because of the strong moisture sorption of EVOH. Morphology observation indicated that the PPC/EVOH blends exhibited a two‐phase microstructure. The blends with EVOH contents ranging from 40 to 60 wt % showed the best comprehensive properties as biodegradable thermoplastic for many applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2007