In-situ cross-linking strategy for achieving excellent impact resistance and thermal insulation of closed-cell poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB) foams.

Owing to inherent issues like interfacial stress concentration, open-cell, a low volume expansion ratio (VER) and cell density, the impact resistance and thermal insulation of supercritical foamed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blend foams remain unsatisfactory. To overcome these challenges, an in-situ cross-linking strategy is employed to enhance the compatibility between PLA and poly(4-hydroxybutyrate) (P4HB), while improving the melt strength and crystallization behavior of the blends. The modified PLA/P4HB blend exhibits a blurred interfacial boundary with fewer stress concentrations.