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To commercialize a degradable material, it is necessary to control the initial stability which is strongly depended on their life time. One approach to modify physical properties of degradable polyesters is a blend with a non-degradable polymer because a nondegradable polymer with low surface energy is enriched at surface. Biodegradable polyesters, such as poly(dl-lactide) (dl-PLA), semi-crystalline poly(l-lactide) (l-PLA) and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were blended with poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) as a non-degradable polymer because PVDF has a low surface energy. Their surface structure and morphology were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and atomic force microscopy, respectively. (dl-PLA/PVDF) and (PCL/PVDF) blend films showed the enrichment of PVDF at surface whereas the surface of (l-PLA/PVDF) blend film was similar with its bulk one due to different solubilities to solvent and miscibility. These results will be useful to control of the initial stability of degradable polymers.

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Sustainable and eco-friendly polymers, natural polymers, bio-based polymers, and degradable polyesters, are of growing interest because of environmental concerns associated with waste plastics and emissions of carbon dioxide from preparation of petroleum-based polymers. Degradable polymers, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), and poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), are related to reduction of carbon dioxide in processing. To improve a weak mechanical property of a degradable polymer, a blending method is widely used. This study was forced on the component separation of degradable polymer blends for effective recycling. The melt-mixed blend films in a specific solvent were separated by two layers. Each layer was analysed by FT-IR, DSC, and contact angle measurements. The results showed that each component in the PPC/PLLA and PPC/PBAT blends was successfully separated by a solvent.