Viscosity studies of poly(DL -lactic acid) in supercritical CO 2

Catherine A. Kelly, Steven M. Howdle, Kevin M. Shakesheff, Mike J. Jenkins, Gary A. Leeke*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effect of supercritical CO 2 on the viscosity and activation energy to viscous flow of P DLLA is investigated, using a high pressure parallel plate rheometer, over a range of temperatures (50-140 °C) and pressures (5-12 MPa). The Cross model is fitted to the data to enable calculation of the zero shear viscosity and critical shear rate. A significant decrease in the viscosity is observed on increasing both variables; however, at high temperatures, the pressure effect becomes negligible. An increase in the critical shear rate is also observed on raising the pressure, indicative of a reduction in the relaxation time of the polymer. Manipulation of the Arrhenius equation shows a reduction in the activation energy to viscous flow as the pressure is increased. Together, these results show that the melt processing temperature of P DLLA can be reduced in the presence of supercritical and high pressure CO 2.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1383-1393
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics
Volume50
Issue number19
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2012

Keywords

  • activation energy
  • polylactide
  • processing
  • supercritical CO
  • viscosity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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