Evaluating <scp>PE</scp> / <scp>PLA</scp> interfacial tension using ternary immiscible polymer blends

Blending with ethylene-based flexible polymers such as polyethylene (PE) is one of the strategies to toughen poly(lactic acid) (PLA), an inherently brittle biodegradable plastic enjoying growing demands worldwide. Interfacial tension plays a crucial role in blend formulation. Yet several literature reports on PE/PLA interfacial contradict each other, giving ~5 mN/m and ~11 mN/m. In this work, we demonstrate that at least 9 We use cocontinuous PE/polystyrene (PS)/PLA ternary blend. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed complete wetting morphology PS phase separating PE PLA phases addition, behavior was maintained volume fraction low 3%. This together Harkins equation, indicate higher than 10.5 ± 1.4 180°C.