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The deformation of the dispersed phase in polystyrene/high density polyethylene (PS/HDPE) blends produced by ribbon extrusion was studied numerically and experimentally. A mathematical model for the deformation of the dispersed phase in ribbon extrusion processing of polymer blends was developed assuming uniaxial deformation of the ribbon and the equilibrium shapes of the dispersed particles with a pressure balance over a drop. Simulated morphologies as function of the post‐extrusion parameters were obtained and compared with experiments. The analysis of the ribbon extrusion process showed that parameters such as draw ratio (DR) and ribbon‐water contact length (X) significantly influence the ribbon dimensions, the extensional stress, and the stretching force. The results also showed that deformation and coalescence of the dispersed phase in the ribbon extrusion processing of polymer blends increase at higher DR and/or lower X values. The comparison between the model and the experimental morphologies of PS/HDPE produced a good agreement.

Summary: Thermoplastics/chitosan-powder composite foams were prepared by extrusion using azodicarbonamide (ACA) as chemical blowing agent. The effect of chitosan content on morphology (cell size, nucleation density and foam density) of the foams was studied. Chitosan particles are located on the bubbles periphery. Morphological quantification showed that foam cell size decreased and cell population increased with addition of chitosan into polymeric matrix from 1 to 10%. Further, optimum chitosan content was obtained for each polymer. Polymers foamed with chitosan were tested as a chelating resin to adsorb chromium (Cr VI) from different concentration solutions.

Composites of postconsumer high-density polyethylene with agave fiber were prepared by singlescrew extrusion with azodicarbonamide as a foaming agent to increase the surface area; the composite pellets were coated with chitosan afterward. A chemical pretreatment was applied to the pellets to enhance the chitosan gel compatibility. The adsorption capacities of the composites coated with chitosan were evaluated for Cd(II) and Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The coated composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to measure metal uptake in batch adsorption studies. The results of this study demonstrated the composites' ability to immobilize chitosan on their surfaces and their capacity to adsorb metal ions. The equilibrium isotherms for Cd(II) and Cu(II) adsorption on the chitosancoated composites were described by the Langmuir model. This material represents an attractive low-cost recycled material for adsorbing metal ions from polluted waters.