1. Introduction
In recent decades, stereocomplex polylactides (scPLAs) prepared
by blending poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactide)
(PDLA) have been extensively studied [1,2]. The stereocomplex
crystallites of scPLAs formed from the co-crystallization of PLLA and
PDLA molecules are different from the homocrystallites of PLLA and
PDLA. The melting temperature (Tm) of the stereocomplex crystallites
(Tm z 230 C) is approximately 60 C higher than the Tm of
homocrystallites, due to the stronger van der Waals forces in the
stereocomplex crystallites [3e5]. The stereocomplex formation
enhances the hydrolysis resistance, thermal resistance and mechanical
properties of the PLAs [6e8]. The precise changes in the
scPLA properties by compounding additives are still required for
various melt processing and applications
The melt strength properties of PLAs have been improved by
reactive blending with a styrene-acrylic multifunctional oligomeric
agent, under the trade name Joncryl®, to form the long chain
branching structures of PLAs [9]. Joncryl® has been used as a chain
extender in the recycling of polycondensation thermoplastics by a
chain extension reaction through melt processing [10]. Joncryl®
ADR 4368 has been shown to be the most efficient chain extender
to restore the molecular weight of polylactides during melt processing
[11,12] and to improve compatibilization of PLLA/poly(-
butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) blends [13].
However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of chain
extension on the stereocomplex formation of polylactides has not
been reported so far. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate
the effect of the chain extension on stereocomplex formation and
the melt flow index of PLLA/PDLA blends or scPLAs. For this purpose,
pure PLLA and PDLA having similar molecular weight characteristics
were synthesized. Then, 50/50 (w/w) PLLA/PDLA blends
were prepared by melt blending with different chain extender ratios
(0.5e2.0 wt.%) and blending temperatures (170e230 C). The
scPLAs were characterized by the use of differential scanning
calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and melt flow index
analysis. The results were also compared with those of the chain
extender-free scPLAs