Structural Features and Properties’ Characterization of Polylactic Acid/Natural Rubber Blends with Epoxidized Soybean Oil

Because of the effort to preserve petroleum resources and promote the development of eco-friendly materials, bio-based polymers produced from sustainable resources have attracted great attention. Among them, polylactide (PLA) and natural rubber (NR) present prominent polymers with unique barrier and mechanical features. A series of samples with improved phase compatibility were obtained by blending PLA and NR using a double-rotor mixer. A plasticizing and enhancing effect on the polymers’ compatibility was achieved by using epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as a natural plasticizer and compatibilizer. ESO compounding in the PLA-NR blends increased the mobility of the biopolymer’s molecular chains and improved the thermal stability of the novel material. The size of the NR domains embedded in the continuous PLA matrix decreased with the ESO content increment. The combination of thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy enabled the authors to determine the features of potential packaging material and the optimal content of PLA-NR-ESO for the best mechanical properties.

Study of the Preparation and Properties of TPS/PBSA/PLA Biodegradable Composites

Thermoplastic starch/butyl glycol ester copolymer/polylactic acid (TPS/PBSA/PLA) biodegradable composites were prepared by melt-mixing. The structure, microstructure, mechanical properties and heat resistance of the TPS/PBSA/PLA composites were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile test and thermogravimetry tests, respectively. The results showed that PBSA or PLA could bind to TPS by hydrogen bonding. SEM analysis showed that the composite represents an excellent dispersion and satisfied two-phase compatibility when the PLA, TPS and PBSA blended by a mass ration of 10, 30, and 60. The mechanical properties and the heat resistance of TPS/PBSA/PLA composite were improved by adding PLA with content less than 10%, according to the testing results.

Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Flexible Poly(L-lactide)-b-polyethylene Glycol-b-poly(L-lactide)/Microcrystalline Cellulose Biocomposites

In this work, flexible biocomposites were prepared through melt blending using flexible poly(L-lactide)- b-polyethylene glycol-b-poly(L-lactide) (PLLA-PEG-PLLA) as a matrix and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a filler. The effects of the addition of MCC on the thermal, morphological and mechanical properties of PLLA-PEG-PLLA/MCC biocomposites were investigated compared to PLLA/MCC biocomposites. Thermal stability of both PLLA and PLLA-PEG-PLLA from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was improved by MCC blending. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the biocomposites exhibited good phase compatibility between PLLA-PEG-PLLA matrix-MCC filler. From tensile tests, the stress and strain at break of the PLLA/MCC and PLLA-PEG-PLLA/MCC biocomposite films decreased while the Young’s modulus increased as the MCC content increased. The strain at break of PLLA-based and PLLA-PEG-PLLA based biocomposite films containing 20 wt.% MCC were 2% and 162%, respectively. Thus, the PLLA-PEG-PLLA/MCC biocomposites have potential to be used as flexible bioplastics for packaging applications.

EARLY EVIDENCE ON THE XBRL ADOPTION PROCESS IN MALAYSIA: DRIVERS AND CHALLENGES ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Purpose: This study aims to identify technological factors and how these factors influence the XBRL adoption process of the regulators in Malaysia. Methodology: This paper applied Rogers’s (1983) adoption process and DiPietro, Wiarda, and Fleischer’s (1990) Technological, Organisational, and Environmental (TOE) framework. The paper adopted a case study approach consisting of an interview and document analysis. The data has been analysed with thematic analysis. Results: This paper shows ten (10) factors within the technological perspective—the relative advantage as driving factor while trialability are the challenging factor in the knowledge and persuasion phase. In the decision-making phase, compatibility of XBRL taxonomy and stability production of XBRL instance documents are the driving factors whilst stability of XBRL taxonomy, standardised XBRL taxonomy, standardised XBRL submission, availability of tools and software and observability are challenges in the XBRL adoption process. In the implementation and confirmation phase, the complexity of the XBRL taxonomy is considered a challenge in the XBRL adoption process. Implications: The findings in this paper serve as strategies to the other regulators that have plans to adopt XBRL as well as to attract the different government agencies to start with XBRL for reporting.

Preparation of Stereocomplex Polylactide/Poly(Butylene Succinate) Blends by Melt Blending

Biodegradable polymer blends based on stereocomplex polylactide (scPLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) were successfully formed by continuous two-step melt blending. An epoxy-based, multifunctional chain extender was chosen to enhance phase compatibility of the blends. Effects of PBS and chain extender on thermal, phase morphology, thermo-mechanical and tensile properties of the scPLA/PBS blends were determined. The PBS blending enhanced plasticizing effect and cold-crystallization of scPLA matrix in an amorphous region. The chain-extension reaction inhibited crystallization of PBS, PLA homo-crystallites and PLA stereocomplex-crystallites as well as reduced thermal stability of the scPLA/PBS blends because of formation of long-chain branched structures. It has been shown that the poor phase compatibility between continuous scPLA and dispersed PBS phases of the blends may be solved through melt blending with a chain extender. The chain extension of scPLA/PBS blends also improved thermo-mechanical properties and flexibility of the scPLA/PBS blend films.