Influence of chain extender on thermal properties and melt flow index of stereocomplex PLA

The effects of chain extension and melt blending temperature on the stereocomplex formation of 50/50 (w/w) poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)/poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) blends or stereocomplex polylactides (scPLAs) were investigated. Joncryl® ADR 4368, a styrene-acrylic multifunctional oligomeric agent, was used as a chain extender. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffractometry were used to confirm the stereocomplex formation of the PLLA/PDLA blends. Melt flow indices (MFI) of the blends were also determined. The stereocomplex crystallinities gradually decreased with increasing blending temperature and Joncryl® ADR 4368 ratio. The significant decrease in the MFI of scPLAs is believed to be attributed to chain extension at the blending temperatures of 170 °C and 200 °C. The MFI values of scPLAs decreased as the Joncryl® ADR 4368 ratio and blending temperature increased. The results indicated that the chain extension has an effect on the stereocomplexation and it improved the melt strength of the scPLAs.