Effect of compatibilizer concentration on dynamic rheological behavior and morphology of thermoplastic starch/polypropylene blends

Abstract

The reactive compatibilization of blends consisting polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) (70/30) with different portions of PP‐grafted maleic anhydride (PP‐g‐MA) is carried out by melt mixing. The esterification reaction between the starch hydroxyl and the PP‐g‐MA groups proved by the FTIR leads to a compatibility improvement. The dynamic rheological properties, morphology, elongation at break, and the impact strength of the blends were studied. The SEM images show that increasing the compatibilizer concentration reduces the dispersed TPS droplet size. The generalized Zener model states that an elastic interface is established (minimum α value) and enables us to predict the dynamic rheological properties of our blends in a longer frequency range to where the current experimental limitation exists. The modified Cross model is implemented to confirm better adhesion between phases when 20 wt % PP‐g‐MA is used (minimum ac value). The increase in the dynamic viscoelastic moduli at concentrations up to 20 wt % and the observed plateau at the elongation at break point at this concentration confirmed that this concentration is the optimum for the maximum stress transfer. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48742.

Detailed analysis on thermal, microstructural, mechanical, and morphological features of side chain liquid crystalline polymer/isotactic polypropylene graft copolymers: Effect of grafted and ungrafted polymer units

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A study on melt recycling of bio‐based polypropylene/thermoplastic starch compound

“…One of the most important wavenumbers is 1758 cm −1 . According to Table 1, this wavenumber is related to the ester bond formed between the maleic anhydride of the compatibilizer agent and the hydroxyl group in the chemical structure of starch 18 …”

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