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Chain orientation, a natural consequence of polymer film processing, often leads to enhanced mechanical properties parallel to the machine extrusion direction (MD), while leaving the properties in the transverse direction (TD) unaffected or diminished, as compared to the unoriented material. Here, we report that mixing poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(butylene oxide) (PEO-PBO) diblock copolymer that forms dispersed particles in an amorphous polylactide (PLA) matrix produces uniaxially stretched blend films with enhanced toughness in both the MD and TD. Small-angle X-ray scattering experiments and visual observations revealed that the dominant deformation mechanism for blend films transitions from crazing to shear yielding in the MD as the stretching ratio increases, while crazing is the primary deformation mechanism in the TD at all stretching ratios investigated. As the films age at room temperature, crazing becomes more prevalent in the MD without compromising the improved toughness. The stretched blend films were susceptible to some degree of mechanical aging in the TD but remained fivefold tougher than stretched neat PLA films for up to 150 days. This work presents a feasible route to produce uniaxially stretched PEO–PBO/PLA films that are mechanically tough, which provides a more sustainable plastic alternative.
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Mesoporous polyetherimide thin films via hydrolysis of polylactide- b -polyetherimide- b -polylactide
Mesoporous polyetherimides are important high-performance polymers. Conventional strategies to prepare porous polyetherimides, and polyimide in general, are based on covalent organic framework or thermolysis of sacrificial polymers. The former produces micropores due to intrinsically crosslinked microstructures, and the latter results in macropores because of a blowing effect by the sacrificial polymers. The preparation of mesopores remains a challenge. Here we have prepared mesoporous polyetherimide films by hydrolyzing polylactide- b -polyetherimide- b -polylactide (AIA). Controlled by molecular weight and volume fraction of polylactide in AIA, the porous films exhibit an average pore width of 24 nm. The mesoporous polyetherimide films exhibit a storage modulus of ∼1 GPa at ambient temperatures. This work advances the chemistry of high-performance polymers and provides an alternative strategy to prepare mesoporous polymers, enabling potential use as high-performance membranes for separation, purification, and electrochemistry.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1752611
- PAR ID:
- 10316043
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 27
- ISSN:
- 1759-9954
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00601K
