Triallyl Isocyanurate-Assisted Grafting of Maleic Anhydride to Poly(lactic acid): Efficient Compatibilizers for Poly(lactic acid)/Talc Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/talc composites are of considerable interest because they can address the drawbacks associated with PLA, such as poor thermal/mechanical properties and high cost. Nevertheless, due to low compatibility between PLA and talc, coupling agents, or compatibilizers capable of increasing the adhesion between the two materials are required. Herein, triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC)-assisted maleic anhydride (MAH)-grafted PLA (i.e., PLA-g-[MAH/TAIC]) copolymers are developed as compatibilizers for achieving PLA/talc composites with significantly enhanced mechanical properties. The TAIC increases the MAH activity and inhibits the degradation of the PLA, thus effectively increasing the MAH grafting degree. Importantly, the PLA-g-(MAH/TAIC) copolymers improve the mechanical properties (30% and 17% increases in the elongation at break and Izod impact strength, respectively) compared to those of the PLA/talc composite with PLA-g-MAH.