Plasma treatment for enhancing mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable PVA/starch blends

Two series of biodegradaable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/starch blends, i.e., PVA with/without plasma treatment (PP/P series), were produced by single‐screw extruder. The influences of plasma pretreatment and PVA content on the tensile properties, thermal behaviors, melt flow index, and biodegradability of blends were investigated. PVA pretreated by plasma (PPVA) reacted with glycerol was found not only to mechanically strengthen the PPVA/starch blend but also to improve the compatibility of PPVA and starch. Compared with PVA/starch blends, the melt flow indices of PPVA/starch blends were improved significantly by 200–300% and their tensile strength also increased two‐to‐three‐fold. Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) showed that the thermal stability of PPVA/starch (85/300g) blend was better than PVA/starch blend at processing temperature and outperformed than PVA and starch at high temperature. Both the PPVA/starch and PVA/starch blends finished biodegradation within 9–10 weeks in soil burial tests. The esterification reaction of PPVA and glycerol was characterized by FTIR spectroscopic measurement and TGA test. The morphologic evolutions of the blend during biodegradation were investigated carefully by scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Preparation of PAM/PVA blending films by solution-cast technique and its characterization: a spectroscopic study

Polyacrylamide (PAM) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were blended with different weight percentages (70/30, 50/50, 30/70) using solution-cast technique. The prepared films were studied by different characterization techniques. The effect of PVA content on PAM blends was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ultra violet visible (UV–vis), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Different mechanical properties of blends were also studied. Significant changes were observed in FTIR, UV–vis, TGA, SEM and mechanical analysis which revealed interactions between the two polymers. FTIR spectra showed the presence of hydrogen bonding between PAM and PVA and hydrophilic nature of the blends. Different optical properties were studied by UV–vis spectroscopy. The weight loss, as a function of temperature of blends, was analyzed by TGA. The results obtained from different experimental techniques were supported by SEM image analysis. FTIR analysis confirmed the conclusion on the specific hydrogen bonding between –CONH₂ groups in PAM and –OH group in PVA. These results showed the change in the thermal stability and mechanical properties. FTIR analysis revealed that a blend ratio of 50/50 wt% had maximum intermolecular interaction between two polymers. It was finally concluded that blend films with the above ratio display higher thermal stability and improved mechanical properties. Due to changes in interactions, the optical parameters were also changed.     

Preparation and characterization of films based on crosslinked blends of gum acacia,polyvinylalcohol, and polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex

In an attempt to develop iodine-release systems based on polymeric blend for biomedical applications, our research group prepared blends of gum acacia (GA), polyvinylalcohol (PVA), and polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) complex. The blends of GA/PVA and GA/PVA/PVP-I prepared from the aqueous solutions of the polymers were crosslinked with glutaraldehyde to increase the water resistance of the films and to improve their thermal and mechanical properties. The crosslinked GA/PVA and GA/PVA/PVP-I blend films were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, DSC, and TGA. The swelling behavior of the prepared blends was investigated and crosslinked GA/PVA blend films were found to be pH sensitive. The properties of PVP-I containing blends differed from those prepared without it probably due to the formation of an intermolecular interaction between PVP-I and the hydroxy-polymers. The results indicated that after crosslinking the blends showed improvement in water resistance, thermal, and mechanical properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

PBSA/木薯淀粉湿法共混体系研究

采用湿法共混工艺制备了聚丁二酸/己二酸–丁二醇酯(PBSA)/木薯淀粉薄膜。对薄膜的力学性能、热稳定性和微观形貌以及树脂的摩尔质量变化进行了研究。结果表明,共混体系的熔融温度基本没有变化,结晶峰温度略有升高;随木薯淀粉含量的增加,PBSA/淀粉共混薄膜的力学性能下降,木薯淀粉和PBSA在各自的温度区域内分解,共混材料的热稳定性下降;GPC结果显示加工过程中,虽有水分存在,但是PBSA的摩尔质量没有降低。随淀粉含量的增加,薄膜的拉伸强度和断裂伸长率逐渐降低,当淀粉质量分数10%时,共混薄膜仍能保持良好的机械性能,达到GB/T 4456—2008的要求。湿法共混工艺能够在一定程度上取得物料共混的理想效果,在降低生产成本的同时保持良好的综合机械性能和加工性能。     

改性淀粉/LLDPE共混体系生物降解材料性能的研究

将自制接枝改性淀粉与LLDPE、玉米淀粉以及另外两种相容剂进行共混。通过对共混体系的形态结构、力学性能、流变性能、热性能以及对共混物薄膜的生物降解性能等的研究说明:复合相容剂MAH-g-PE+LA-g-starch的加入改善了淀粉和LLDPE的相容性,使得共混物体系具有适宜的拉伸强度及断裂伸长率;LLDPE/淀粉/(MAH-g-PE+LA-g-starch)共混物薄膜具有很好的生物降解性能。     

邻甲酚醛环氧树脂/核壳粒子共混物的性能研究

采用直接分散和二次分散两种方法分别制备了邻甲酚醛环氧树脂／核壳粒子(ECN/CSP)共混物,并对其微观形态、力学性能和热性能进行了测试表征.结果表明,采用二次分散法制备的ECN/CSP共混物的力学性能明显优于直接分散法.当CSP用量为8份时,采用二次分散法可制备综合性能较好的ECN/CSP共混物.     

Physical characteristics of sweet potato pulp/polycaprolactone blends

Sweet potato pulp (SSP) obtained as a by‐product from starch extraction was blended with polycaprolactone (PCL) to prepare a biodegradable plastic material. In the blends, PCL was used as a reinforcing agent. The SPP/PCL blends were prepared by compression‐molding under high temperature and pressure, at different SPP/PCL ratios, and the mechanical properties of the molded specimens were tested. Matrix structure and thermal properties were measured by using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Mechanical properties (tensile and flexural properties) were also measured to find the most suitable ratio in a SSP/PCL blend. During compression molding of the SPP/PCL blends under high pressure and temperature, chemical reaction occurred between SPP and PCL, and thus, thermal stability and mechanical strength of the blends increased and water uptake decreased. Also, by increasing the PCL content in the blend, the matrix in the blend became more homogeneous, and consequently, mechanical strength of the molded specimen increased. At 7/3 or 6/4 weight ratio of SSP/PCL, water uptake of the molded specimen became substantially less than that at 8/2. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 861–866, 2004     

Effect of propylation of starch with different degrees of substitution on the properties and characteristics of starch‐low density polyethylene blend films

Corn starch was modified by propylation and degree of substitution (DS) of four starch modifications were 0.61, 1.56, 2.27, and 2.51. Different films were prepared by blending native and propylated starch with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE). The mechanical properties, thermal properties, water absorption capacity, and biodegradability of the blend films varied with the quantity of starch as well as DS. Tensile strength, elongation, and melt flow index of propylated starch blend films were higher compared to the corresponding native starch blend film. These properties improved with increase in DS from 1.56 to 2.51. Propylated starch blend films were found thermally stable than native starch blend films. There was a decrease in water absorption capacity for the films containing propylated starch at high DS. Enzymatic and soil burial degradation results showed that biodegradability of starch‐LDPE films increased with the increase in the starch concentration but it decreased with increase in the DS. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011.     

Preparation and characterization of konjac glucomannan/poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) blend films

A novel preservative film was prepared by blending konjac glucomannan (KGM) and poly (diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) in aqueous system. The effects of PDADMAC content on the miscibility, morphology, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the blend films were investigated by density determination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile tests. The results of the density determination predicted that the blends of KGM and PDADMAC were miscible when the PDADMAC content was less than 70 wt %. Moreover, SEM and XRD confirmed the result. ATR‐IR showed that strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds interaction occurred between the negative charge groups of KGM and the quaternary ammonium groups of PDADMAC in the blends. The tensile strength and the break elongation of the blends were improved largely to 106.5 MPa and 32.04%, when the PDADMAC content was 20 wt %. The thermal stability of the blends was higher than pure KGM. Results from the film‐coating preservation experiments with lichi and grapes showed that the blend film had excellent water‐holding and preservative ability. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007     

The effect of Ag,ZnO, and CuO nanoparticles on the properties of the compatibilized polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend films

In this study, the effects of Ag, ZnO, and CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability properties of the compatibilized polyethylene (PE)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were investigated. Polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) was used as the compatibilizer. The compatibilized PE/TPS blends with different NPs were prepared by melt mixing method in a laboratory scale extruder and then pressurized in the press machine. The use of ZnO NP together with the compatibilizer in PE/TPS-based films significantly increased the tensile stress values. The use of different type NPs did not cause any significant change in the thermal stability of PE/TPS-based films. However, the effects of NPs were observed on the TPS degradation steps. The prepared films with different NPs showed an antibacterial activity between 60% and 70%. The highest crystallinity value was obtained in Ag NP containing films, among others. According to scanning electron microscopy analysis, better distribution was observed for ZnO and Ag NPs than CuO NP. In general, it can be said that the addition of NPs to PE/TPS-based blends significantly reduces the partial biodegradability of the resulting films.     

Morphological,Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene and Vermiculite Blends

Morphological, thermal and mechanical properties of blends prepared from polypropylene (PP) and 1, 3 and 5 wt% of vermiculite (VMT) were studied. The samples were prepared in a twin-screw extruder. The addition of maleic anhydride-functionalized polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) was also investigated. The blend morphologies were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties of the composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The DSC results showed that PP crystallizes on cooling at higher temperatures as VMT content increases. The increase in crystallization temperature was most evident for blends with 5 wt% VMT. The TGA results showed that the use of VMT particles to fill polypropylene increased the thermal stability of the composite. The mechanical properties, tensile modulus and tensile strength at yield point of the PP improved by the presence of VMT.     

Mechanical,thermal, and biodegradation studies of polystyrene–phthalated starch blends using epoxy functionalized compatibilizer

Blends of polystyrene (PS) and esterified starch has been prepared using an epoxy functionalized PS as compatibilizer along with zinc stearate as prooxidant. The starch phthalate (Stph) loading was varied from 20 to 60%. The mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability studies of the blends were carried out as per the ASTM standards and the results were compared with that of neat PS. The blends exhibited enhanced mechanical properties with the addition of compatibilizer although the biodegradation rate slows down. The blend containing 40% starch ester with 12% compatibilizer showed maximum tensile strength. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning colorimetric analyses has been done for the blends, and the neat PS and the glass transition temperature of the blend has been obtained at 327 K. The water absorbency of the blends showed an increase with the increase in loading of Stph and a reduction with the addition of compatibilizer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Preparation and characterization of konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose blend films

The novel blend films of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) were prepared by casting the mixed polymer aqueous solutions. The physical properties of the blend films from konjac glucomannan and sodium carboxymethylcellulose were investigated by using FT‐infrared (FTIR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and measurements of mechanical properties. The experimental results showed that the occurrence of the interactions between KGM and NaCMC molecular chains through hydrogen bond formation, and the physical properties of the films largely depend on the blending ratio. The thermal stability, mechanical properties of both tensile strength, and elongation at break of the blend films were improved by blending KGM with NaCMC. The surface morphology of the films observed by SEM was consistent with the results mentioned above. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 80: 26–31, 2001     

Fabrication and characterisation of thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene succinate) blends with maleated poly(butylene succinate) as compatibiliser

Thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene succinate) (TPS/PBS), an entirely biodegradable polymer blend, was prepared by a two-step extrusion method. Maleic anhydride grafted PBS (rPBS) was successfully synthesised as an interfacial compatibiliser. The miscibility, morphology, thermal behaviour and mechanical properties of the TPS/PBS blends were investigated. The results demonstrated that the strength and elongation at break of TPS/PBS blends were greatly increased with the addition of rPBS in PBS blends due to improved interfacial miscibility. Better distribution and smaller phase domain were observed in the blends with higher content of compatibilisers. The water resistance was also enhanced by incorporation of rPBS. It was indicated that compatibilised TPS/PBS blends possessed a combination of good biodegradability, improved strength and high water resistance. TPS/PBS blend was expected to serve as a promising packing material.     

Effect of thermal aging on the biodegradation of PCL,PHB‐V,and their blends with starch in soil compost

Different proportions of starch were blended with poly(β‐hydroxybutyrate)‐co‐poly(β‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHB‐V) or poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) by extrusion, and the mechanical (maximum tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's modulus) and thermal properties (by differential scanning calorimetry) were determined. The biodegradability of the blends in soil compost was also assessed after thermal aging for 192, 425, and 600 h at different temperatures. The maximum tensile strength of the PCL50 blend (containing 50% starch) was 35% lower than that of PCL and that of the PHB‐V50 blend was 60% lower than that of PHB‐V without thermal aging. PHB‐V blends were more biodegradable than PCL blends. For the blends prepared, only the biodegradation of PHB‐V25 was affected by thermal aging. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 3539–3546, 2003     

聚乳酸/淀粉复合材料的制备及性能研究

采用熔融共混的方法制备了聚乳酸/淀粉复合材料。通过力学测试、DSC、DMA和SEM等分析,研究了聚乳酸和淀粉在不同质量配比下,复合材料力学性能、热性能、吸水率的变化,并研究了增容剂环氧树脂对复合材料性能的影响。通过研究发现,随着淀粉含量的增加,复合材料力学性能下降,结晶度减小,储能模量降低,吸水率增大;环氧树脂的加入能提高复合材料的力学性能;SEM分析表明,聚乳酸/淀粉复合材料的断裂面呈脆性断裂特征。     

羟丙基纤维素/明胶复合膜的制备及性能表征

以环氧氯丙烷(ECH)作为羟丙基纤维素(HPC)和明胶(GEL)的交联剂,通过均相混合、交联、溶液浇铸、蒸发等工艺制备了一系列ECH交联的HPC/GEL复合膜(EHGF)。利用傅里叶红外光谱(FTIR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、紫外-可见分光光度计(UV-Vis)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、热重分析仪(TG)、接触角、力学性能等测试手段对EHGF复合膜的结构、微观形貌、热稳定性、耐水性及拉伸断裂强度进行表征和分析。结果表明:交联作用存在于HPC和GEL组分之间,各组分间具有好的相容性;与HPC/GEL共混膜相比,EHGF复合膜显示了更均匀致密的断面形貌和更高的热稳定性,且ECH的交联作用显著提高了HPC/GEL复合膜的水接触角和断裂强度。     

PPC/PDAP共混膜的制备和性能

将过氧化二异丙苯(DCP)置于特定温度下,引发邻苯二甲酸二烯丙酯(DAP)在聚碳酸亚丙酯(PPC)溶液中聚合,制备得到聚碳酸亚丙酯/聚邻苯二甲酸二烯丙酯(PPC/PDAP)共混膜。采用红外光谱仪(FTIR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、差示扫描量热仪(DSC)、热重分析仪(TGA)、万能试验机和水蒸气透过率测试仪对共混膜的红外吸收、结晶性、热、力学和阻隔性能进行了表征。结果表明,通过DAP的聚合,提高了PPC的结晶性,使PDAP在PPC基体中形成交联网络,提高了共混膜的热、力学和阻隔性能。相比纯PPC,当DAP含量为20%时,共混膜的玻璃化转变温度和拉伸强度分别提高了5.3℃和266%;当DAP含量为40%时,共混膜的失重5%热分解温度提高了50.9℃,透湿系数下降了25%,因此,阻隔性能得到了提升。     

Effects of a diisocyanate compatibilizer on the properties of citric acid modified thermoplastic starch/poly(lactic acid) blends

In this article, for the first time in the literature effects of phenylene diisocyanate (PDI)‐based compatibilizer on the physical and chemical properties of citric acid (CA) modified thermoplastic starch (TPS)/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends were investigated with respect to PDI and CA content and blend composition. The blends were prepared by melt compounding in a laboratory microcompounder. Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy results showed that CA interacted with starch and PDI interacted by both starch and PLA through the hydroxyl groups. It was revealed from SEM micrographs that combinatorial usage of CA and PDI resulted in an improved, finer distribution of TPS in PLA matrix. This improvement affected the mechanical properties of blend, especially the toughness related properties such as impact strength and elongation at break. The thermal properties such as T_g and T_m revealed from differential scanning calorimeter analysis were in line with the morphological structure of the blends by suggesting the compatibilization phenomena in the presence of PDI and CA together. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that compatibilization of two phases improved the thermal stability of the blends. As a general conclusion, the combinatorial usage of PDI and CA can be utilized to obtain tougher PLA/TPS blends‐based materials to overcome the brittleness problem. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 53:2183–2193, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Study on physical properties of blend films from gelatin and polyacrylamide solutions

Blend films of gelatin and polyacrylamide (PAAm) were prepared by casting the mixed aqueous solutions of both samples in different ratios. All blend films obtained are optically clear to the naked eye. The structure and physical properties of the films were studied by FT‐infrared (FTIR), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The experimental results show that the blend films exhibit the higher thermal stability and improved mechanical properties of both tensile strength and elongation at break in dry states, which suggests the occurrence of interaction detected by FTIR between gelatin, PAAm, and water molecules in the films. The morphological transition of the blend films from gelatin‐like to PAAm‐like was observed by SEM. Furthermore, moisture content and water swelling property of the blend films were also investigated, which was consistent with the results from SEM. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 949–955, 2002