Improving Mechanical Properties of PLA/Starch Blends Using Masterbatch Containing Vegetable Oil Based Active Ingredients

Abstract

The aim of this research was to increase the compatibility between PLA and starch with vegetable oil-based additives. Based on tensile results, it can be stated, that Charpy impact strength could be improved for 70/30 and 60/40 blends in both unconditioned and conditioned cases, regardless of vegetable oil, while no advantageous change in impact strength was obtained with PLA-g-MA. Considering sample with the highest starch concentration (50%), the flexural modulus was improved by using sunflower oil-based additive, Charpy impact strength and elongation at break was increased using rapeseed oil-based additive in both conditioned and unconditioned cases. SEM images confirmed the improvement of compatibility between components.

Synthesis and characterization of polylactic acid‐lecithin‐starch bioplastic film

“…However, PLA/starch blend presents a challenge of either partial or complete incompatibility 17 . The polymers have thermodynamic mismatch due to hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic starch, making their blend experience phase separation and weak interfacial adhesion leading to poor mechanical and water vapor barrier properties 12,13 …”

“…17 The polymers have thermodynamic mismatch due to hydrophobic PLA and hydrophilic starch, making their blend experience phase separation and weak interfacial adhesion leading to poor mechanical and water vapor barrier properties. 12,13 Several attempts have been made to enhance the compatibility of PLA/starch blends using a variety of plasticizers, and compatibilizers as well as processing techniques. 18 Plasticizers are used on starch granules to disrupt the tightly ordered packing structure and intermolecular hydrogen bonding of starch under high-speed shearing at a relatively high temperature (>90 C).…”

“…7,8 However, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed to make it a viable alternative, including the prohibitive cost of raw materials, lack of efficient production methods and technical limitations. 9,10 In addition to biodegradation and cost concern, PLA application is also limited by certain limitations including brittleness, [11][12][13][14] and hydrophilicity. 11 Among many efforts to address these limitations many scholars have blended PLA with other materials.…”

Influence of E‐beam irradiation on compounds from linear low density polyethylene and thermoplastic vulcanized rubber consisting of a polypropylene and ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber phase

“…For the modification of polymer materials, different options are available. Polymers can be incorporated with additives to enhance, for example, thermal stability 1 or mechanical properties 2 . Also, chemical modifications through copolymerization are possible 3 .…”

“…Polymers can be incorporated with additives to enhance, for example, thermal stability 1 or mechanical properties. 2 Also, chemical modifications through copolymerization are possible. 3 Another way for modification is blending different polymers to combine properties and characteristics.…”