Radiation‐assisted morphology modification of LDPE/TPS blends: A study on starch degradation‐processing‐morphology correlation

Potato starch was radiolytically degraded to different extents by irradiating with Co‐60 gamma radiation in wide dose range. The degraded starch was plasticized using glycerol and water to obtain radiation processed thermoplastic starch (RTPS). Blends of different RTPS and low density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared by internal melt mixing. Characterization of blends using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, melt flow, contact angle, and soil burial studies indicated changes in the blend morphology and biodegradation behavior with the increase in the dose imparted to the starch fraction. Molecular weight of starch decreased substantially in the dose range of the study. The melt viscosity of LDPE/RTPS blend decreased whereas crystallinity of LDPE phase increased with the incorporation of RTPS. No significant change in the carbonyl index and thermal stability of the blends was observed in the dose range studied; therefore, the observed changes in the physical and thermal properties of the blends were attributed primarily to the kinetic factors affecting crystallization and time‐dependent phase separation process. Biodegradability of blends varied with the radiation dose imparted to starch component of blend, suggesting better encapsulation of RTPS by LDPE chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012