Substantial Effect of Water on Radical Melt Crosslinking and Rheological Properties of Poly(ε-Caprolactone).

ABSTRACT: One-step reactive melt processing (REx) via radical reactions was evaluated with the aim of improving the rheological properties of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). In particular, a water-assisted REx was designed under the hypothesis of increasing crosslinking efficiency with water as a low viscous medium in comparison with a slower PCL macroradicals diffusion in the melt state. To assess the effect of dry vs. water-assisted REx on PCL, its structural, thermo-mechanical and rheological properties were investigated. Water-assisted REx resulted in increased PCL gel fraction compared to dry REx (from 1-34%), proving the rationale under the formulated hypothesis. From dynamic mechanical analysis and tensile tests, the crosslink did not significantly affect the PCL mechanical performance. Dynamic r

SUBMITTER: Avella A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7915490 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature