Poly(ethylene succinate--lactic acid) as a Multifunctional Additive for Modulating the Miscibility, Crystallization, and Mechanical Properties of Poly(lactic acid).

Polymer blending offers an effective and economical approach to overcome the performance limitations of poly(lactic acid) (PLA). In this study, a series of copolymers poly(ethylene succinate--lactic acid) (PESL) were synthesized, featuring lactic acid (LA) contents that ranged from 20 to 86 wt %. This synthesis involved a one-pot industrial melt polycondensation process using succinic acid (SA), ethylene glycol (EG), and LA, catalyzed by titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTP).