Analysis and evaluation of biobased polyester of PTT/PBAT blend: thermal, dynamic mechanical, interfacial bonding, and morphological properties

Abstract

Novel blends were prepared from biobased poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) and poly(butylene adipate-coterephthalate) (PBAT) using a twin screw extrusion process as a function of different weight ratios. Thermal stability, mechanical, and interfacial properties of PTT/PBAT blends were investigated using a thermogravimetric analyzer and mechanical analyzer. Phase behavior and surface morphology of the blends were characterized using scanning electron microscopy. Interfacial bonding value of the PTT/PBAT blend was evaluated from the Pukanszky empirical relationship. Viscoelastic properties of PTT/PBAT blends were investigated using the dynamic mechanical analyzer. PTT/PBAT blend exhibited higher thermal stability than the neat PTT matrix. The entire blend showed better interfacial adhesion between the matrixes. Storage and loss modulus of the PTT/PBAT blend reduces with increasing PBAT content. PTT/PBAT blend exhibited higher impact energy than the neat PTT matrix, because of its flexible and amorphous nature of PBAT polymer and increasing toughness.

Biobased blends of poly(propylene carbonate) and poly(hydroxybutyrate‐co‐hydroxyvalerate): Fabrication and characterization

“…However, upon blending the two polymers together an improvement of the thermal stability occurred where the temperature at which 5 wt % degradation takes place improved past both neat polymers (PPC at 232 °C and PHBV at 263 °C) to about 277 °C for all blends. It has been reported that completely and partially miscible polymer blends are capable of improving thermal stability due to the interactions between each component and their phase morphology . There was evidence of a transesterification reaction between the carbonate groups of PPC and the terminal hydroxy groups of PHBV.…”

“…increasing PBAT content improved the thermal stability. It was stated that chemical interactions such as transesterification and intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding between the two polymers dominate the degradation process . As well, the phase morphology between PHBV and PPC or between the crystalline and amorphous phases play a role in the thermal stability of the blends from the hydrogen bonding of the ester and hydroxy groups .…”

“…It was stated that chemical interactions such as transesterification and intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding between the two polymers dominate the degradation process . As well, the phase morphology between PHBV and PPC or between the crystalline and amorphous phases play a role in the thermal stability of the blends from the hydrogen bonding of the ester and hydroxy groups . It was also stated that increasing the flexible segments of the material improves thermal stability by increasing the temperature for the onset of degradation and maximum degradation .…”

“…It has been reported that completely and partially miscible polymer blends are capable of improving thermal stability due to the interactions between each component and their phase morphology. 34,35 There was evidence of a transesterification reaction between the carbonate groups of PPC and the terminal hydroxy groups of PHBV. The OH peak found at 3436 cm 21 for PHBV disappeared in the blends and a shift between the C@O peaks for PHBV at 1718 cm 21 and PPC at 1739 cm 21 was observed in the blends as seen through FTIR analysis.…”

Manipulating morphology in thermoplastic protein/polyester blends for improved impact strength

“…[10] For instance, the impact strength and other mechanical properties of PLA/polybutylene adipate-coterephthalate (PBAT) blends were shown to increase drastically when compatibilized with functionalities such as epoxides [11] and anhydrides, [12] attributed to strong interfacial adhesion and formation of a dispersed droplet morphology. [18] Novatein has previously been blended with biodegradable polyesters. For example, the impact strength and elongation of polyhydroxybutyrate-co-valerate (PHBV) could be enhanced by up to 120% when plasticized with epoxidized soybean oil.…”