Biodegradable nanocomposites of cellulose acetate phthalate and chitosan reinforced with functionalized nanoclay (NC) were prepared. The NC loading was varied from 0 to 10%. The mechanical and thermal properties have been investigated for these composites. The nanocomposites exhibited enhanced mechanical properties due to the addition of NC. The scanning electron micrographs of the blend specimens also support the above observations. Thermogravimetric analyses were carried out to assess the degradation stability of the blends. The blend shows an increase in the rate of biodegradation and water uptake with higher loading of NC. The exfoliation of NC was analyzed by X-ray diffraction studies. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 125:E16-E26, 2012 Figure 12 Biodegradation: variation of percentage weight loss with number of days for CAP-chitosan-NC blends. E26GAURAV ET AL.

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Blends of polystyrene (PS) and esterified starch has been prepared using an epoxy functionalized PS as compatibilizer along with zinc stearate as prooxidant. The starch phthalate (Stph) loading was varied from 20 to 60%. The mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability studies of the blends were carried out as per the ASTM standards and the results were compared with that of neat PS. The blends exhibited enhanced mechanical properties with the addition of compatibilizer although the biodegradation rate slows down. The blend containing 40% starch ester with 12% compatibilizer showed maximum tensile strength. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning colorimetric analyses has been done for the blends, and the neat PS and the glass transition temperature of the blend has been obtained at 327 K. The water absorbency of the blends showed an increase with the increase in loading of Stph and a reduction with the addition of compatibilizer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Biodegradable composites comprising of modified starch and modified nanoclay have been prepared. Starch has been modified by esterification and subsequently crosslinked. The thermal, mechanical, and biodegradation characteristics of the composites have been investigated. The compressive properties of the composites with the addition of nanoclay were twice that of crosslinked starch phthalate without addition of nanoclay. Predictive theories were used to analyze the obtained experimental results. SEM studies on fracture morphology indicated quasi-brittle fracture. Flexural properties showed considerable improvement due to nanoclay addition. The water uptake increased up to 6% nanoclay, beyond which the uptake decreased. Biodegradation studies showed an initial time lag prior to the onset of degradation.