Characterization of layered silicate-reinforced blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)

László Lendvai; Anton Apostolov; József Karger-Kocsis

doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.05.100

Characterization of layered silicate-reinforced blends of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)

Carbohydr Polym. 2017 Oct 1:173:566-572. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.05.100. Epub 2017 Jun 3.

Authors

László Lendvai¹, Anton Apostolov², József Karger-Kocsis³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Muegyetem rkp. 3., H-1111 Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: lendvai@pt.bme.hu.
² Laboratory on Structure and Properties of Polymers, Department on Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1 James Bourchier Blvd., BG-1164 Sofia, Bulgaria.
³ Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Muegyetem rkp. 3., H-1111 Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: karger@pt.bme.hu.

PMID: 28732900
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.05.100

Abstract

A two-step melt blending procedure was used to produce binary systems composed of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). To improve the properties of the blends, two different layered silicates, viz. bentonite (BT) and organically modified montmorillonite (oMMT) were incorporated. First, TPS and its layered silicate nanocomposites were prepared via extrusion compounding during which starch was plasticized with glycerol and water. In the second step, PBAT was added to TPS/layered silicate to produce blends in a batch-type mixer. Mechanical and thermal properties were determined. The blends showed acceptable ductility over 50wt.% PBAT content, although at the cost of strength and stiffness. By contrast to oMMT the BT became intercalated in TPS and TPS/PBAT blends. The reinforcing effect of BT and oMMT was most prominent for the glassy states of both TPS and TPS/PBAT blends. Thermal, and thermooxidative properties were not significantly affected by the presence of layered silicates.

Keywords: (Biomaterial; Extrusion; Layered silicate; Thermoplastic starch; Water effect).