Thermo-mechanical characterization of bioblends from polylactide and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and lignin

This paper investigates the effect of the incorporation of organosolv lignin and a chain extender on the compatibility between polylactide and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate). Bioblends were processed using melt extrusion and injection molding techniques. A reaction was observed during the melt processing as the force increased as the amount of ADR in the formulation increased. This reaction was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphological images showed a good dispersion and an absence of phase separation by the inclusion of the chain extender. The incorporation of the chain extender enhanced the tensile properties and modulus characterization of the bioblends. Dynamic mechanical analysis and rheological characterization revealed that the addition of chain extender increased the storage modulus of the bioblends. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a good miscibility between PLA and PBAT in the presence of OL and the chain extender, while thermogravimetric analysis showed enhancement in the thermal stability by inclusion of the chain extender.