POS7-1254
A Multifunctional Heterocycle-based Additives for Matrix Reinforcement and Interfacial Mediation in Biodegradable Materials
Topic
S7. Innovations in Polymeric Composites: From Design and Processing to Industrial Applications
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Park Subin (한국생산기술연구원)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
A multifunctional heterocycle-based additive (HLU) was designed to mechanically reinforce biodegradable materials through improved matrix affinity and controlled intermolecular and interfacial interactions.. HLU was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D,L-lactide using heterocyclic isosorbide (ISB) as an initiator, followed by urethane chain extension with isophorone diisocyanate. This molecular structure combines poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-like segments for matrix affinity with ISB-derived heterocyclic units and urethane linkages that serve as local interaction sites. The multifunctionality of HLU was demonstrated in two biodegradable polymers, where the same additive operated through distinct reinforcing roles depending on its incorporation mode and position within the material structure. First, HLU was directly incorporated into a PLA matrix as a reinforcing additive to prepare PLA/HLU films. The optimized film exhibited a tensile strength of 71.91 MPa while maintaining a total transmittance of 92.8%. In addition, the oxygen and water vapor transmission rates were reduced by 13.8% and 23.8%, respectively, compared with neat PLA. These results indicate that HLU simultaneously improved mechanical and barrier performance without sacrificing optical transparency. Second, HLU was used as a dispersant and interfacial mediator for TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (T-CNFs), which were combined with a cotton woven fabric (CWF) to construct a hierarchical reinforcement structure in an amorphous polyhydroxyalkanoate (aPHA) matrix. In this system, HLU improved T-CNF dispersion, reduced composite porosity, promoted matrix impregnation into the cellulose network, and strengthened interfacial adhesion within the aPHA matrix, CNFs, and CWF. As a result, the resulting composite film achieved a tensile strength of 12.11 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 337.1 MPa, corresponding to increases of 175.2% and 595.1%, respectively, compared with neat aPHA. Consequently, we demonstrated that HLU can function not only as a matrix-level reinforcing additive but also as an interface-engineering mediator, providing a versatile molecular design strategy for improving the mechanical performance of biodegradable materials.
