Morphology and properties of poly(lactic acid- co-glycolic acid) film improved by blending with poly( γ-benzyl l-glutamate).

A series of poly(lactic acid- co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/poly( γ-benzyl l-glutamate) (PBLG) blend films were prepared by casting the polymer blend solution in chloroform. Surface morphologies of the PLGA/PBLG blend films were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of PLGA/PBLG blend films were studied by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile tests, and surface contact angle tests. The results displayed that when PBLG mole content is 4 %, the tensile strength and the maximum decomposition temperature of the polymer blend film are 20.2 MPa and 359 °C, respectively, suggesting that the polymer blend film holds both a better mechanical property and a better thermal property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]