Thermal properties of linear shape polylactic acid/star shape polylactic acid blends

Blends consisting of linear shape polylactic acid and star shape polylactic acid (L-PLLA/S-PLLA) have been prepared by melt and solution blending. The effect of blending method on the thermal properties and crystallization behavior of L-PLLA/S-PLLA blends has been investigated. The molecular weight decrease was revealed both in melt and solution blending. S-PLLA was found to be more stable than L-PLLA in the reduction of molecular weight during the course of blending due to its star shape structure. As a result, broad molecular weight distribution was obtained in solution blending. It was found that melting temperature and glass transition temperature decrease with increasing S-PLLA content. Blending method had large influence on the glass transition temperature of PLLA blends, while less effect on melting temperature. From DSC results, it can be noticed that solution blending is more effective blending method to obtain higher crystallinity than melt blending for S-PLLA and blend with higher S-PLLA content.