• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2015

Sustainable and eco-friendly polymers, natural polymers, bio-based polymers, and degradable polyesters, are of growing interest because of environmental concerns associated with waste plastics and emissions of carbon dioxide from preparation of petroleum-based polymers. Degradable polymers, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), are related to reduction of carbon dioxide in processing. To improve a weak mechanical property of a degradable polymer, a blending method is widely used. This study was forced on the component separation of degradable polymer blends for effective recycling. The melt-mixed blend films in a specific solvent were separated by two layers. Each layer was analysed by FT-IR, DSC, and contact angle measurements. The results showed that each component in the PPC/PLLA and PPC/PBAT blends was successfully separated by a solvent.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.128-131
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• 2003

Triblock copolymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) middle block and degradable polyester end blocks were synthesized by the ring open polymerization initialed by alcohol groups of PDMS. Surface composition of the triblock copolymers is measured by angle-dependent electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis. The PDMS blocks are segregated in the topmost surface region and constituted up to 90 mol% of the surface, even though the overall bulk PDMS concentrations of the block copolymers is 6% or less. This result suggests that the bulk property of degradable polyesters is essentially unchanged due to the high surface segregation of PDMS.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 2013

Poymer blends of two degradable aliphatic polyesters, relatively expensive material polylactic acid (PLA) and relatively inexpensive material poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), were used in this study. Three different kinds of modifiers were used with various amounts. Diisocyanate type methylenediphenyl 4,4'-diisocyanate (MDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) were used as modifiers and epoxy type coupling agents also used. The melt flow index (MFI) and dynamic viscoelasticity of various compositions of PLA/PBAT blends were studied. The mechanical property and morphology with respect to the fracture surface of PLA/PBAT blends were also investigated using tensile test and field emission scanning electronic microscopy, respectively. These tests were also used to verify the compatibility of PLA/PBAT and the effect of mechanical properties due to the use of modifiers. Tensile properties of PLA/PBAT blends modified with HDI were improved remarkably.