Study of Miscibility, Crystallization, and Biodegradation of Casting Films of Poly(butylene succinate‐co‐adipate) and Poly(ϵ‐Caprolactone) Blends

Abstract

This work presents the miscibility and crystallization evaluations of poly (butylene succinate‐co‐adipate) (PBSA) and poly (ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) blends by dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and polarized light optical microscopy (PLOM), as well as the assessment of biodegradability of pure polymers and its blends in compost soil. DMTA and PLOM results confirmed the immiscibility of the blends and pointed to the possibility of compatibility between the blend components of various compositions. Soil burial biodegradation assay demonstrates that the blends showed a higher biodegradation rate than pure polymers. Overall, results indicate that it is possible to improve mechanical properties by blending PBSA with PCL, without losing biodegradation properties.

Effect of carbon black and chain extender on thermal, rheological and mechanical properties of fully biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) blends

“…Figures 1(a) and 1(b) show the tan δ and storage modulus ( E ′) curves respectively of all samples. The peaks appearing in the tan δ curves are related to the glass transition temperature ( T g ) and the E ′ curves provide useful information about the elasticity and stiffness of the materials 24 . The T g data were determined by the peak position on the tan δ curves.…”

“…The peaks appearing in the tan ⊐ curves are related to the glass transition temperature (T g ) and the E 0 curves provide useful information about the elasticity and stiffness of the materials. 24 The T g data were determined by the peak position on the tan ⊐ curves. For convenient comparison, Table 1 summarizes the T g values of neat PBAT and P34HB, T g values of PBAT and P34HB components in the blends and composites, and E 0 values at −40 °C and at room temperature (25 °C).…”

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS): Materials, processing, and industrial applications

“…The experimental results showed that the carbon nanotubes preferentially disperse in the PBS phase (more rigid), favouring the stiffness of the blend without altering its ductility/toughness. More recently, Nicolino et al studied PBSA and PCL-based blends in different proportions [295] . PBSA and PCL were immiscible within the blend.…”