Strong, ductile and transparent biaxially oriented poly(lactic acid) with low content of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) by temperature-gradient stretching: The role of mesophase

IF 6.5 2区材料科学 Q1 MATERIALS SCIENCE, COMPOSITES

Composites Communications Pub Date : 2025-02-17 DOI:10.1016/j.coco.2025.102311

Dongfu Wang, Bo Liu, Deyu Niu, Weijun Yang, Xu Zhang, Pengwu Xu, Piming Ma

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Polylactic acid (PLA) is an ideal material for fabricating low-carbon, environmentally friendly biaxially-oriented stretch films due to its significant application potential in sustainable packaging. However, biaxially-oriented PLA films exhibit inherent brittleness, and the role of the PLA mesophase in governing their physico-mechanical properties remains unclear. In this study, microbial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) was employed as a novel toughening agent, which was melt-blended with PLA to simultaneously enhance toughness and stretchability. Subsequently, biaxially-oriented PLA/PHBH films (BO-PLA/PHBH) with controlled mesophase contents but comparable crystallinity and orientation were fabricated through one-step and temperature-gradient stretching methodologies. The temperature-gradient stretched BO-PLA/PHBH containing 8 % mesophase achieved a tensile strength of 153 MPa, while notably maintaining an elongation at break of 80 % and optical transparency of 92 %. The mesophase serves as a structural bridge between crystalline and amorphous domains, facilitating stress transfer and thereby enhancing mechanical strength. This study proposes a scalable, industrially viable strategy for manufacturing fully biodegradable PLA/PHBH films with superior rigidity-ductility balance.

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来源期刊

Composites Communications Materials Science-Ceramics and Composites

CiteScore

12.10

自引率

10.00%

发文量

340

审稿时长

36 days

期刊介绍： Composites Communications (Compos. Commun.) is a peer-reviewed journal publishing short communications and letters on the latest advances in composites science and technology. With a rapid review and publication process, its goal is to disseminate new knowledge promptly within the composites community. The journal welcomes manuscripts presenting creative concepts and new findings in design, state-of-the-art approaches in processing, synthesis, characterization, and mechanics modeling. In addition to traditional fiber-/particulate-reinforced engineering composites, it encourages submissions on composites with exceptional physical, mechanical, and fracture properties, as well as those with unique functions and significant application potential. This includes biomimetic and bio-inspired composites for biomedical applications, functional nano-composites for thermal management and energy applications, and composites designed for extreme service environments.