The effects of gamma-irradiation on the structure, thermal resistance and mechanical properties of the PLA/EVOH blends

Polylactic acid (PLA) is as a well-known biodegradable polymer with strong potential for extending its applications into the commodity industry, which is still limited by its relative low heat distortion temperature (HDT). In this paper, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVOH) was blended with PLA by melt blending and followed by a gamma-irradiation at various absorbed doses in the presence of a multi-functional monomer, triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC). The results show that the enhanced irradiation is an effective method for improving the mechanical properties and HDT of PLA/EVOH blends. Remarkably, the HDTs of the irradiated blends have dramatically increased to 140 °C, double the value of neat PLA (70 °C). The content of TAIC and the absorbed dose of irradiation were found to play important roles in the enhancement. Gel extraction, scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses also demonstrate that new co-crosslinked networks have been formed in the irradiated PLA/EVOH blends.