Development and Characterization of Ductile Polylactic Acid Blends with Plasticized Zein for Injection Molding Applications

IF 5 3区工程技术 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Journal of Polymers and the Environment Pub Date : 2026-03-27 DOI:10.1007/s10924-026-03813-7

Carlos Lazaro-Hdez, Mario Miranda-Pinzon, Maria del Puig Vicente-Vinas, Teodomiro Boronat, Juan Ivorra-Martinez

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Abstract

This study explores the development of polylactic acid (PLA) blends incorporating plasticized zein, a corn-derived protein, and dipropylene glycol (DPG) as a biobased plasticizer to enhance compatibility and processability. Blends were produced via twin-screw extrusion and injection molding, with plasticized zein content ranging from 10 to 50 wt%. Mechanical testing showed a significant increase in ductility, with elongation at break rising from 6.3% (neat PLA) to 56.3% (50 wt% zein), accompanied by reduced tensile strength (58.4 MPa to 22.7 MPa) and impact resistance (42.2 kJ/m² to 11.5 kJ/m²), due to phase separation and limited compatibility. Shore D hardness slightly declined (from 82.9 to 77.4). Thermal analysis revealed the T_g decreasing from 59.5 °C to 39.9 °C as zein content increased. Thermogravimetric analysis showed reduced thermal stability with zein addition, dropping the initial degradation temperature from 360.0 °C to 188.2 °C. Morphological analysis indicated greater heterogeneity at higher zein levels due to partial miscibility. Colorimetric data showed visible changes, and FTIR spectra confirmed physical interactions and partial miscibility between PLA and zein.

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塑性聚乳酸与增塑型玉米蛋白共混物的研制与表征

本研究探索了聚乳酸（PLA）共混物的发展，其中包括增塑化玉米蛋白（玉米衍生蛋白）和二丙二醇（DPG）作为生物基增塑剂，以提高相容性和加工性。共混物是通过双螺杆挤压和注射成型生产的，增塑化玉米蛋白含量从10%到50%不等。力学测试表明，由于相分离和有限的相容性，拉伸强度（58.4 MPa至22.7 MPa）和抗冲击性（42.2 kJ/m2至11.5 kJ/m2）降低，断裂伸长率从6.3%（纯PLA）上升到56.3% （50 wt%玉米蛋白）。邵氏D硬度略有下降（从82.9降至77.4）。热分析表明，随着玉米蛋白含量的增加，Tg从59.5°C下降到39.9°C。热重分析表明，添加玉米蛋白降低了热稳定性，使初始降解温度从360.0℃降至188.2℃。形态学分析表明，由于部分混溶性，玉米蛋白水平越高，异质性越大。比色数据显示了明显的变化，FTIR光谱证实了聚乳酸和玉米蛋白之间的物理相互作用和部分混溶。

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来源期刊

Journal of Polymers and the Environment 工程技术-高分子科学

CiteScore

9.50

自引率

7.50%

发文量

297

审稿时长

9 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of Polymers and the Environment fills the need for an international forum in this diverse and rapidly expanding field. The journal serves a crucial role for the publication of information from a wide range of disciplines and is a central outlet for the publication of high-quality peer-reviewed original papers, review articles and short communications. The journal is intentionally interdisciplinary in regard to contributions and covers the following subjects - polymers, environmentally degradable polymers, and degradation pathways: biological, photochemical, oxidative and hydrolytic; new environmental materials: derived by chemical and biosynthetic routes; environmental blends and composites; developments in processing and reactive processing of environmental polymers; characterization of environmental materials: mechanical, physical, thermal, rheological, morphological, and others; recyclable polymers and plastics recycling environmental testing: in-laboratory simulations, outdoor exposures, and standardization of methodologies; environmental fate: end products and intermediates of biodegradation; microbiology and enzymology of polymer biodegradation; solid-waste management and public legislation specific to environmental polymers; and other related topics.