LAUSR

Abstract The drawback of the application for poly( l -lactide) (PLLA) is the low crystalline rate and crystallinity obtaining via normal processing methods. Modifying crystallization of PLLA has been found to be an efficient way to improve its mechanical and heat resistance properties. In this wok, 4, 4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (M) and benzohydrazine (P) were employed into PLLA melt to in-situ form nucleating agents. The in-situ melting reaction was confirmed by a nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystallization behavior and crystalline morphology were investigated by a differential scanning calorimetry, a polarized optical microscopy and a field emission scanning electron microscope. The crystalline rate of PLLA was abruptly enhanced by adding (M+P) and melting reaction with PLLA. The crystallization half-time of PLLA dramatically decreased from 42.0 to 1.1 min at 130 °C by the in-situ formation of nucleating agents. The crystallinity of PLLA increased from 10.3 to 42.1 by adding 0.25% (M+P) and melting reaction for 8 min. Furthermore, the size of PLLA crystals was dramatically reduced because of the nucleating effect. Accompanied with improvement on crystallinity, the Vicat softening temperature of PLLA shifted from 57.4 °C to 93.7 °C by the in-situ reaction with 6.00% (M+P), and indicating heat resistance enhancement.