Stereocomplex formation of a poly(D-lactide)/poly(L-lactide) blend on a technical scale

Abstract Poly(D-lactide) (PDLA) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA), both available on the market, are blended on a technical scale. Using a special process control, the two materials are blended in a twin-screw extruder at a mass throughput rate of 2 kg/h, resulting in a stereocomplex Poly(-lactide) (PLA) blend. Thermal analysis indicates only one melting point at 235 °C. Both the Raman spectra and X-ray powder diffraction patterns show characteristic features for the stereocomplex PLA. With the available amount of this blend PLA fibers with technical strengths can be developed by melt spinning. As such, the application of the biopolymer PLA can be expanded, leading to substitute the conventional plastics for conserving both the resources and the environment.