Evaluating the grafting of Maleic anhydride with Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) via batch compounding

Maleic anhydride (MA) was grafted to Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) at twelve different content ratios by batch compounding method. The rheology, morphology and grafting possibilities of blend components were analysed. It was found that excessive peroxide content can cause chain scission and chain shortening in the blend which produces a porous structure with inferior mechanical properties. The addition of MA increases the degradation rate of the blend. MA increased the dispersity and interfacial adhesion of PHBV phase within PLA phase.