Synthesis of biodegradable copolymers based on ethylene vinyl acetate and polylactic acid

Abstract

In the present study biodegradable copolymers of ethylene vinyl acetate and polylactic acid were synthesized using transesterification reactions, the structure, morphology, mechanical properties and biodegradability of the produced materials were characterized. Ethylene vinyl acetate was modified with polylactic acid in an internal mixer using titanium propoxide as transesterification catalyst. The graft copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, rheology, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analysis. Selective extractions for all copolymers were made, and the results indicate that a maximum of 25 % of EVA-g-PLA copolymer was synthesized by this method. Biodegradation tests were carried out using the standard ISO 14851 (1999), which specifies a method for determining the biochemical oxygen demand in a closed respirometer. This procedure allowed to synthesize biodegradable copolymers with mechanical properties similar to conventional polymers.