Production of thermoplastic starch for polymer blending and determination of morphological, thermal, and rheological properties of thermoplastic starch/polyethylene blends

Abstract

Biodegradable products are considered as an important solution in reducing the waste generated by the use of synthetic polymers. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) stands out with its success and low cost in the preparation of biodegradable products. In order to improve the low mechanical and physical properties of biodegradable polymeric products, morphology in co-continuous form was chosen as the target of our study as a promising solution. For this purpose, thermoplastic starch samples were prepared by melt processing method using starch and various plasticizers. TPS samples were examined from the perspective of morphological, rheological and thermal properties. Based on the obtained results, suitable TPS was determined that will allow obtaining the co-continuous morphology in the polymer blends to be prepared with polyethylene (PE). Polymer blends were prepared by melt processing method so that the selected TPS sample and PE were in different compositions. TPS/PE polymer blends were examined in terms of mechanical, rheological, morphological and thermal properties, and the most appropriate methods and parameters were determined for the preparation of samples with high TPS composition and co-continuous phase morphology.