INS9-0754
Sustainable Plasticizers and Toughening Agents for Poly(lactide)
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
11:10 - 11:35
Room 201
Session Chairs
Heejoong KIM
Presenter(s)
JIHOON SHIN (Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT))
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Poly(lactide) (PLA) is a renewable and biodegradable thermoplastic. Despite its sustainability, PLA's inherent brittleness limits its broader use, particularly in disposable packaging applications. This presentation highlights recent research trends and strategies at Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) aimed at overcoming PLA brittleness through sustainable materials design.
A renewable and biodegradable plasticizer system was developed by designing an ester structure closely matching PLA repeat units to maximize compatibility. Acetyl-terminated lactide oligomers (ALO, 330–430 g mol–1) exhibited improved thermal stability (Td,5% increased by 23–43 oC) and biodegradation of 55–78%. When incorporated in PLA at 10–50 phr, ALO reduced Tg to 10–20 oC, showed complete miscibility, and caused minimal PLA degradation during processing. The blends exhibited tunable mechanical properties from ductile to elastomeric behavior (εb = 13–658%), low stress-relaxation moduli (2.4–9.8 MPa) and small residual strains (7–17%). ALOs can be promising sustainable plasticizers, providing both effective plasticization and elastomeric performance in PLA.
Semicrystalline-glassy (poly(amide11)–poly(lactide))n (PA11–PLA)n multiblock copolymers containing >97% renewable carbon content were also developed as toughening agents for PLA. Thermal and SAXS analyses confirmed phase-separated morphologies. The resulting materials combined PLA-derived stiffness with PA11-induced toughness and strain-hardening behavior (εb = 380–493%, γ = 124–171 MJ m–3). Furthermore, the multiblock copolymer (PLA118–PA1166–PLA118)1.6 acted as an effective compatibilizer for immiscible PLA/PA11 blends, increasing strain at break and toughness to 467% and 175 MJ m–3, respectively, while maintaining a yield stress of 54 MPa. These studies demonstrate sustainable strategies for producing high-performance PLA materials with enhanced flexibility, toughness, and practical applicability.
A renewable and biodegradable plasticizer system was developed by designing an ester structure closely matching PLA repeat units to maximize compatibility. Acetyl-terminated lactide oligomers (ALO, 330–430 g mol–1) exhibited improved thermal stability (Td,5% increased by 23–43 oC) and biodegradation of 55–78%. When incorporated in PLA at 10–50 phr, ALO reduced Tg to 10–20 oC, showed complete miscibility, and caused minimal PLA degradation during processing. The blends exhibited tunable mechanical properties from ductile to elastomeric behavior (εb = 13–658%), low stress-relaxation moduli (2.4–9.8 MPa) and small residual strains (7–17%). ALOs can be promising sustainable plasticizers, providing both effective plasticization and elastomeric performance in PLA.
Semicrystalline-glassy (poly(amide11)–poly(lactide))n (PA11–PLA)n multiblock copolymers containing >97% renewable carbon content were also developed as toughening agents for PLA. Thermal and SAXS analyses confirmed phase-separated morphologies. The resulting materials combined PLA-derived stiffness with PA11-induced toughness and strain-hardening behavior (εb = 380–493%, γ = 124–171 MJ m–3). Furthermore, the multiblock copolymer (PLA118–PA1166–PLA118)1.6 acted as an effective compatibilizer for immiscible PLA/PA11 blends, increasing strain at break and toughness to 467% and 175 MJ m–3, respectively, while maintaining a yield stress of 54 MPa. These studies demonstrate sustainable strategies for producing high-performance PLA materials with enhanced flexibility, toughness, and practical applicability.
