Crystallization behavior, heat resistance, and mechanical performances of PLLA/myo‐inositol blends. Issue 16 (9th January 2017) - Shi, Hui
ABSTRACT: In this work, use of myo ‐inositol as a biobased nucleating agent (NA) for PLLA was researched. Effects of myo ‐inositol on non‐isothermal and isothermal crystallization behaviors of PLLA at temperatures ranged from 85 °C to 130 °C were studied by using DSC, POM and WAXD. Isothermal crystallization kinetics results showed that the incorporation of myo ‐inositol enhanced significantly the crystallization rate of the PLLA samples. It was confirmed that the optimum isothermal crystallization temperature range was 100 to 110 °C. The above results were instructive to confirm proper heat treatment time and temperature for compression or injection molding to fabricate highly crystallized PLLA articles. The relations among heat treatment time, crystallinity, heat resistance, and mechanical performances of the neat PLLA and PLLA/1% myo ‐inositol specimens prepared by compression molding were investigated. Compared with the PLLA specimens, the PLLA/1% myo ‐inositol specimens showed a shorter heat treatment time to reach the maximum crystallinity. Vicat softening temperature, as well as tensile strength, modulus, and toughness of the PLLA/1% myo ‐inositol specimens was improved when crystallinity increased from 5.4% to 38.1%. Considering the nontoxicity and biocompatibility of myo ‐inositol, PLLA/ myo ‐inositol blends would be potential to prepare some products, which are required higher health standard and can be used in elevated temperature environments. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2017, 134, 44732. Abstract :