Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.123, No.5, 2616-2627, 2012
Characterization of biodegradable polymers by inverse gas chromatography. III. Blends of amylopectin and poly(L-lactide)
The morphology changes and surface thermodynamics of blends of amylopectin (AP)poly(L-lactide) (PLA) were investigated over a wide range of temperatures and compositions using the inverse gas chromatography method. Twenty-five solutes were selected such as alkanes, acetates, oxy, halogenated, and six-member ring families. They provided a variety of specific interactions with the blends' surface. The morphology showed two regions, some others showed a de-polymerization above 130 degrees C. These zones enabled the estimation of T-g and T-m of AP, PLA, and the blends. Blending AP with PLA caused a decrease in AP's T-g value due to the reduction of the degree of crystallinity of the blend. Exothermic values of x(23) were obtained indicating the compatibility of AP and PLA at all temperatures and weight fractions of APPLA. The miscibility was favored at 75%AP, only 25%AP-75%PLA composition influenced the degree of crystallinity. The dispersive component of the surface energy of the blends ranged from 16.09 mJ/m2 for the pure AP as high as 58.36 mJ/m2 at 110 degrees C when AP was mixed with PLA in a 50-50% ratio. The surface energy was at its highest value when the composition was 75% of AP, in good agreement with x(23) values. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Keywords:amylopectin;poly(L-lactide);inverse gas chromatography;degree of crystallinity;surface energy;interaction coefficients;differential scanning calorimetry;X-ray diffraction;polymer-polymer interaction;entropy of mixing