Enhanced performance of polylactic acid through copolymerization with poly(1,4-butylene adipate)

Poly (1,4-butylene adipate) (PBA) was copolymerized with polylactic acid (PLA) to enhance the performance of PLA by utilizing PBA as a soft segment and PLA as a hard segment. The copolymer was synthesized through a melt condensation method using PBA and l-lactide. Characterization of the product was conducted using infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and other techniques. The investigation focused on the thermal stability, mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and degradation characteristics of the copolymer. The results indicated that copolymerization improved the thermal stability, toughness, and hydrophilicity of PLA, while also delaying the degradation rate of PLA in alkaline environments.