High-performance and durable fibrous poly(glycolic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends by reactive compatibilization and solid-state drawing. (April 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niu, Deyu; Li, Jiaxuan; Xu, Pengwu; Liu, Tianxi; Yang, Weijun; Wang, Zhenyu; Ma, Piming
• Is Part Of: Polymer degradation and stability. Volume 210(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-04
• Subjects: Poly (glycolic acid) -- Reactive compatibilization -- Solid-state drawing -- Mechanical property -- Hydrolysis resistance; Polymers -- Deterioration -- Periodicals; Stabilizing agents -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Dégradation -- Périodiques; Stabilisants -- Périodiques; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2023.110293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-3910

Abstract

Highlights: Strength, toughness and hydrolysis resistance of fibrous PGA/PBAT are simultaneously improved. Enhanced chain entanglement restricts the chain relaxation during drawing process. Poor chain mobility results in more extended chains being transformed into rigid amorphous fraction. Abstract: The application of poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) is limited by its inherent brittleness and easy to hydrolysis. Herein, we demonstrate an effective strategy to make fibrous PGA/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) blends with high strength, toughness and better hydrolysis resistance by reactive compatibilization and subsequent solid-state drawing. The enhanced chain entanglement due to the compatibilization restricts the chain relaxation during drawing process, leading to a predominance of stress-induced orientation. Meanwhile, it also facilitates the immobilization and transformation of extended chains into rigid amorphous fraction (RAF). As a consequence, the combination of strong interfacial bonding, high orientation and abundant RAF results in superior comprehensive properties of the fibrous PGA/PBAT blends, e.g., the drawn compatibilized PGA/PBAT exhibit a tensile strength as high as 700 MPa and a tensile toughness of 385 MJ/m 3 . Moreover, the tensile strength retention of the drawn compatibilized PGA/PBAT is 20 % higher than uncompatibilized sample after hydrolysis for 5 days. Therefore, this work provides a feasible strategy to make robust and durable fibrous PGA-based blends, which may broaden the application range of PGA. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract