Tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate (TBATPB) and triacetin were added during extrusion to melt
blends of polylactic acid (PLA) and polycarbonate bisphenol A (PC) through a reactive compatibilization
approach in order to enhance the materials' mechanical properties and thermal resistance. Dynamic
mechanical thermal analysis revealed a new peak attributable to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of
the PLA-PC copolymer at a temperature lower than the Tg typical of PC and higher than the Tg of PLA. The
results of tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron
microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and NMR analysis for the
compatibilized and uncompatibilized blends were, on the whole, in agreement with the formation of the
PLA-PC copolymer due to the action of the TBATPB and triacetin during the short extrusion time. The
mechanical behaviour, morphology, and thermal properties of the PLA/PC compatibilized blends were
investigated as a function of composition, with the intention of broadening the utility of these biobasedblends.
Finally, a general scheme for the reactions that occur during extrusion was proposed based on the
experimental results.