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Processability, property, and morphology of biodegradable blends of poly(propylene carbonate) and poly(ethylene‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol)
Author(s) -
Jiao J.,
Wang S.J.,
Xiao M.,
Xu Y.,
Meng Y.Z.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
polymer engineering and science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.503
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1548-2634
pISSN - 0032-3888
DOI - 10.1002/pen.20694
Subject(s) - materials science , differential scanning calorimetry , miscibility , vinyl alcohol , thermogravimetric analysis , composite material , dynamic mechanical analysis , crystallinity , scanning electron microscope , compression molding , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , propylene carbonate , ultimate tensile strength , thermal stability , polymer blend , chemical engineering , polymer , copolymer , chemistry , mold , physics , engineering , thermodynamics , electrode , electrochemistry
Biodegradable blends of poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) and poly(ethylene‐ co ‐vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) were melt compounded in a batch mixer followed by compression molding. The processability, mechanical properties, thermal behavior, and morphologies of the blends were investigated with torque rheometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. Torque rheometry indicated good interfacial miscibility between PPC and EVOH phases, and then fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra demonstrated that a certain extent of hydrogen‐bonding interactions between PPC and EVOH matrix in the blends. A study of the mechanical properties and thermal behavior showed that the EVOH incorporation can significantly enhance the tensile strength, thermal stability, and crystallinity of the blends. Moreover, dynamic mechanical analysis and differential scanning calorimetry both revealed that PPC and EVOH were compatible to some extent. Further, scanning electron microscopic examination also revealed the good interfacial adhesion between EVOH and PPC phases. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:174–180, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers