Using high temperature FTIR to study kinetics of polymer blends having similar thermal properties: a new approach Reeha Sharma , Roselyn Lata, Tejesvi Patel, David Rohindra Oceans and Natural Sciences, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji Due to non-degradability of synthetic plastics, focus is on developing biodegradable polymers obtained from renewable resources. This will help to replace the current uses of non-biodegradable plastics and contribute towards sustainability and protect the environment. Thus, polymer blending was done to achieve the desired properties of the end product. The bio-based polymers are mostly linear polyesters and semi-crystalline. In this research, two bio-based polymers having similar thermal properties were studied which is Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and Poly 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid (FDCA) in short (PPF). PLLA is a semi crystalline polymer with high melting point, high modulus, good impact resistance, mechanical strength and its potential applications are in the areas of pharmaceutics and packaging. However, the disadvantage is PLLA is slow crystallizing and is brittle which have restricted its applications in the industries 1 . Recently, the furan-based polymers are extensively being studied as it is a bio-based polymer which can replace terephthalate and naphthalate homologues. PPF has similar melting point as PLLA and it contains a furan ring which has good barrier properties against oxygen, water vapor permeability and has high modulus and strength 2 . For crystalline polymers to become industrially viable, it is important to study the crystallization behavior, the crystallization process, degree of crystallinity and morphology. To study the crystallization process, the most established technique used is thermal method is Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Thermal methods require the polymers in the blends to have unique melting and crystallization temperatures. However, when both the polymers have similar thermal properties, thermal technique becomes a challenge. In this research, both the polyesters used had similar thermal properties. The crystallization kinetics was successfully investigated using a new technique – high temperature FTIR. The new innovative approach enabled to study the crystallization process of the neat PLLA and PPF and the polyesters in the blends. This new approach can be used to study the crystallization process in polymer blends having similar thermal properties in the future. Therefore, this research contributes towards Sustainable Development Goal 9 which is “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”. References 1. T. Xu, A. Zhang, Y. Zhao, Z. Han and L. Xue, "Crystallization kinetics and morphology of biodegradable poly(lactic acid) with a hydrazide nucleating agent," Polymer Testing, vol. 45, pp. 101-106, 2015. 2. M. C. Righetti, P. Marchese, M. Vannini, A. Celli, C. Lorenzetti, D. Cavallo, C. Ocando, A. J. Miller and R. Androsch, "Polymorphism and Multiple Melting Behavior of Bio-Based Poly(propylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate)," Biomacromolecules, vol. 21, pp. 2622-2634, 2020.
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