High Performance Polylactide Toughened by Supertough Polyester Thermoplastic Elastomers: Properties and Mechanism

Abstract

It is a challenge to develop a biodegradable toughener to toughen polylactic acid (PLA) with both high strength and high toughness, since toughness and strength are mutually exclusive. Here, a series of supertough polyester thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), poly(L/D-lactide)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-δ-valerolactone)-b-poly (L/D-lactide)s (PLLA-PCVL-PLLA, L-TPEs or PDLA-PCVL-PDLA, D-TPEs), were prepared and blended with a PLLA matrix to toughen PLLA. The mechanical properties of PLLA could be regulated in a wide range by changing blending ratios and TPE structures. For PLLA blends toughened by L-TPEs, the highest elongation at break is up to 425% with the tensile strength of 33.1 MPa and the toughness of 104 MJ/m³. By the stereocomplex crystallization of PLA (sc-PLA), the tensile strength of the PLLA/D-TPE blends further increased to 41.8 MPa with a similar elongation at break (418%) and the toughness up to 128 MJ/m³. The detailed characterizations revealed a toughening mechanism: (I) the added soft segments increased the ductility of the PLLA matrix, (II) the PLLA segments of L-TPEs increased the compatibility between TPEs and PLLA matrix, and (III) the formation of sc-PLA between the PDLA segments in D-TPE and PLLA provided higher tensile strength by enhancing the strength of the crystal skeleton. The toughened PLA using TPEs can maintain original non-toxic and degradable properties, and be applied potentially in surgical sutures, and 3D-printed scaffolds.

Keywords

Super-tough polyester elastomer / Poly-L-lactic acid toughening / Biodegradable polymer / Stereocomplex crystallization

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