No abstract

Starch/PBAT blends were reactively extruded as masterbatch with the addition of tartaric acid (TA) and epoxide chain extender ADR4468 (ADR). The effects of tartaric acid and chain extender on the mechanical properties and structure of starch/PBAT blends were evaluated. The tensile strength of starch/PBAT blends with TA and TA/ADR increased by 31.4% and 85.6%, respectively. Further, starch, plasticizer, and blowing agent were melt extruded with this blend masterbatch, and the effects of masterbatch on the foamability, morphology, and properties of starch foams were investigated. When the masterbatch content was 10 phr, the obtained foam had the lowest apparent density (445.1 kg m−3), and the compressive strength, recovery, and water resistance of the foam were also improved significantly.

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) blend films were prepared with different contents of a multifunctional epoxide chain extender Joncryl ADR-4468 (ADR) or benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The long-chain-branching (LCB) introduced by ADR and branched/crosslinked entanglement induced by BPO increased melt elasticity, viscosity and compatibility, as indicated by thermal properties, rheological and morphological analyses. It was found that the elongation at break and the tensile strength were significantly improved, due to the enhancement of compatibility and the interfacial adhesion by the incorporation of ADR or BPO. The best mechanical properties were obtained in PBAT/PBSA/ADR (60/40/0.3) (A4T6A 0.3 ) and PBAT/PBSA/BPO (60/40/0.9) (A4T6B 0.9 ) films, respectively. With the rapid initiation of chain growth by BPO, it has significantly improved the transparency of the film. ADR and BPO can be used interchangeably in improving the comprehensive properties of PBAT/PBSA films, and it would provide more strategies for developing biodegradable materials for various applications.