Abstract

Thanonchat Imsombut, Mangkorn Srisa-Ard and Yodthong Baimark

 

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/ojc/330213

Liquid star-shaped e-caprolactone (CL) oligomers were synthesized by ring-opening reaction of CL using a six terminal hydroxyl group initiator, Boltorn® H2004, for use as new plasticizers of poly(L-lactide) (PLA) films. The Boltorn-CL oligomers containing two and four units of CL on each oligomer arm were prepared. The PLA/oligomer blend films were prepared by solution blending before film casting. A phase separation led to the formation of plasticizer droplets. The CL arms reduced the phase separation. The plasticizer blending decreased slightly the T_g, T_c and T_m of the PLA films. The crystallinities of the PLA films increased with the Boltorn-CL blend ratio but they did not with the Boltorn® H2004. The Boltorn-CL blending improved flexibility of the PLA films, but Boltorn® H2004 blending did not. The increasing of CL units decreased the flexibility of the PLA films. The Boltorn-CL oligomers could be used as plasticizers for PLA films.

Poly(L-lactide); Boltorn-CL; oligomer; plasticizer; mechanical properties

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