Novel Biodegradable Polylactide/Poly(butylene succinate) Composites via Cross-Linking with Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate

A novel polylactide/poly(butylene succinate) composite via cross-linking with methylene diphenyl diisocyanate was used. The methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) was to couple with end hydroxyl of polylactide and poly(butylene succinate) by a torque rheometer and the samples were compression molded into plate successfully. A series of composites was studied with various amounts of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) from 0 to 40 wt%. Tensile test results demonstrated that the elongation at break of the MDI-based PLA/PBS composites increased greatly compared with PLA/PBS, PLA and PBS. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) tests indicated the MDI-based composite showed a new urethane bond among different components. Melting Flow Rate (MFR) in PLA/PBS composites decreased with increasing PBS content.