Free-radical-initiated grafting of maleic anhydride (MA) onto a polylactide
(PLA) backbone was performed by reactive extrusion. A concentration of 2 w
t % MA in the presence of 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di-(tert-butylperoxy)hexane (Lup
ersol 101) as the free-radical initiator was used for all experiments. Two
reaction temperatures were studied (180 and 200 degrees C) with a peroxide
initiator concentration between 0.0 and 0.5 wt %. Under these conditions, b
etween 0.066 and 0.672 wt % MA was grafted onto the PLA chains. Triple-dete
ctor size-exclusion chromatography (TriSEC), melt flow index (MFI), and the
rmal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the maleated PLA
polymers. Increasing the initiator concentration resulted in an increase in
the grafting of MA, as well as a decrease in the molecular weight of the p
olymer. The maleation of PLA proved to be very efficient in promoting stron
g interfacial adhesion with corn native starch in composites as obtained by
melt blending. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.