Mechanochemical Assembly of Polymer-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complexes via Twin-Screw Extrusion for Large-Scale Production and Material Reinforcement

Abstract

We report a polymer cyclodextrin complexation method using twin-screw extrusion (TSE). Optimized extrusion conditions enabled the formation of polymer inclusion complexes (PICs) from hydrophobic polymers, namely polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). The resulting PICs can be further used as compatibilizers for polymer blends by TSE, achieving enhanced elongation and toughness. Bulk modification by TSE and surface modification of PICs offer new routes for post-polymerization functionalization of inert polymers.