Preparation and physical properties of melt-blown nonwovens of biodegradable PLA/acetyl tributyl citrate/FePol copolyester blends

Poly(ethylene glutaric-co-terephthalate) copolyester FePol (FP) together with a kind of citrate ester plasticizer named acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) were chosen to prepare PLA/FP/ATBC blends for melt blowing. Only at 250 degrees C and 10 wt % ATBC content, those (PLAxFPy)aATBCb specimens are associated with proper rheological properties for processing melt-blown nonwovens. As suggested by SEM, FTIR and DSC analysis, the compatible behavior between PLA and FP molecules was observed as FP content is equal to or less than 5 wt %. Further morphological analysis of (PLAxFPy)90ATBC10 specimens reveal that relatively fluffy and well-formed nonwoven fabrics were found for (PLAxFPy)90ATBC10 nonwoven specimens melt-blown at FP contents equal to or lower than 5 wt %. In fact, addition of FP can effectively improve tensile and burst properties of (PLAxFPy)90ATBC10 nonwovens, wherein their tensile and burst properties approach the maximum values as FP contents reach around 5 wt %. Possible reasons accounting for these melt-blown properties of (PLAxFPy)90ATBC10 specimens are proposed. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012