Toughening effect of poly(d-lactide)- b -poly(butylene succinate)- b -poly(d-lactide) copolymers on poly(l-lactic acid) by solution casting method

The block copolymers of poly(d-lactide)-b-poly(butylene succinate)-b-poly(d-lactide) (PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA) were added into PLLA matrix to enhance the toughness of PLLA by solution casting method. The properties of the films were investigated by wide angle X-ray diffractometry (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and tensile testing. The WAXD and DSC results showed that the stereocomplex was the major crystalline when the amount of copolymer addition exceeded 30wt%. The blending samples with high mechanical strength and toughness could be obtained only when certain amount of PDLA-b-PBS-b-PDLA copolymers were added.