Abstract: Biodegradable material was prepared from blends of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and ethylcellulose (EC) by mixing their respective chloroform solutions at different proportions, followed by membrane-casting. The obtained blends were characterized with FT-IR, DSC, and X-ray diffraction. PLLA and EC are liable to form interpolymeric hydrogen bonds and PLLA could crystallize in the blend. With increased dosage of EC, melting point of PLLA-EC blend decreased slightly and crystallinity and crystal perfection of the blend decreased notably, while hydrophilicity increased. Degradation of PLLA-EC blends increased greatly at EC content more than 30%, and reached a maximum at EC content 80%, owing to the above-mentioned factors.

Key words: poly(L-lactic acid), ethylcellulose, biodegradation