Esters of Cinnamic Acid as Green Plasticizers for Polylactide Formulations with Improved Ductility

This study demonstrates the potential of different cinnamate esters, namely methyl trans-cinnamate (MC), isobutyl (IBC), allyl (AC), and ethyl (EC), as environmentally friendly plasticizers for polylactide (PLA). Plasticized PLA formulations with a constant nominal wt% 20 each plasticizer are compounded in twin-screw co-rotating extruder subsequently processed by injection molding. The results show exceptional plasticization efficiency AC an increase elongation at break from 3.9% (neat PLA), up to 339.4% remarkable impact strength, thus showing great overcome main drawback related intrinsic brittleness. incorporation cinnamates matrix leads decrease Tg 61.7 °C down 36.1 plasticized formulation containing AC. Thermogravimetry analysis reveals that slight loss occurs during processing, it happens other monomeric plasticizers, but this phenomenon does not limit their efficiency. Therefore, obtained confirm suitability new family organic compounds derived esterification cinnamic acid green improved toughness, comparable, or even superior, ductile properties typical PLA.