Effect of titanium dioxide on the properties of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films

Abstract

In this study, the effect of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) was investigated. PBAT/TiO2 biocomposite films containing different weight percentages (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 3 %w/w) of TiO2 were prepared by mixing PBAT and TiO2 in a twin screw extruder and thin films were prepared by cast film extruder. The thickness of each film is in the range of 50-90 micron. PBAT/TiO2 biocomposite films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray diffraction, Tensile testing, Scanning electron microscopy and Differential scanning calorimetry. Incorporating TiO2 (0.25-1 %w/w) in PBAT matrix was found the Young's modulus and Tensile strength were increased while the addition of TiO2 more than 1 %w/w (3 %w/w) exhibited lower Young's modulus and Tensile strength as a result of agglomeration of TiO2 that was shown in SEM images. Thermal properties of biocomposite films showed the percent of crystallinity increased by increasing TiO2 concentration up to 1 %w/w. Moreover, addition of TiO2 concentration up to 3 %w/w the percentage of crystallinity was decreased probably as a result of agglomeration of TiO2 that affected on crystallization of PBAT/TiO2 biocomposite films.