Crystallization and heat resistance properties of poly(glycolic acid) reinforced poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends

In this study, poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PLA/PBAT 70/30) were melt blended in the presence with varying amounts of poly (glycolic acid) PGA. SEM, DSC, XRD, and POM were utilized to study the crystallization behavior of the PLA/PBAT/PGA blends. The results clearly demonstrated that PGA played a significant role in enhancing PLA's molecular chain mobility and improving neat PLA's crystalline properties. Notably, POM observations indicated the addition of PGA increased the density of spherulite nucleation, while WAXD integral data showed a reduction in the crystallite dimensions of PLA due to PGA. The tensile test revealed the mechanical properties of the PLA/PBAT/PGA blends were significantly improved by the addition of PGA. Moreover, the presence of PGA led to a notable increase in the heat deformation temperature (HDT) of the PLA/PBAT/PGA blends by increasing crystallinity.