Polymers and Polymer Composites

NEW BIODEGRADABLE BLENDS FROM ALIPHATIC POLYCARBONATE AND POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)

June 1, 2006 By: Cao Y X; Du F G; Wang X L; Meng Y Z Research article

Title: NEW BIODEGRADABLE BLENDS FROM ALIPHATIC POLYCARBONATE AND POLY(VINYL ALCOHOL)
Page Range: p.577-584
Author(s): Cao Y X; Du F G; Wang X L; Meng Y Z
File size: 184K
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Journal: Polymers and Polymer Composites
Issue Year: ppc
Volume: 14
Issue No: No. 6

Abstract
Blends of biodegradable polymers based on polypropylene carbonate and polyvinyl alcohol were prepared by solution casting. Various blend ratios were investigated with reference to thermal and mechanical properties and morphology. Thermogravimetric analysis, DSC, static mechanical measurements, SEM and FTIR techniques were used to characterise the blends. Polypropylene carbonate/polyvinyl alcohol blends (PPC/PVA) with a 10% PVA and 40% PVA ratio were found to be miscible systems, but PPC/20% PVA and PPC/30% PVA blends were found to be two-phase systems. Both tensile strength and modulus increased with increasing PVA content due to a strong interaction between the PPC and PVA phases through hydrogen bonding. Blending PVA with PPC was shown to provide an effective way to increase both the thermal stability and mechanical properties of polypropylene carbonate. 16 refs.


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