Biodegradable Polymer Blends Based on Thermoplastic Starch
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Biodegradable Polymer Blends Based on Thermoplastic Starch Vesna Ocelić Bulatović1 · Vilko Mandić2 · Dajana Kučić Grgić2 · Antonio Ivančić1
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract This work considered the utilisation of environmentally friendly biodegradable materials instead of conventional polymeric materials, in order to prevent further environmental endangerment by accumulation of non-biodegradable materials. Thermoplastic starch (TPS) is an exemplary environmentally friendly biodegradable material. Blending TPS with other biodegradable polymers such as biodegradable polyesters; polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL), was recognised as a successful strategy to provide a renewable, fully biodegradable and cost-effective materials. Namely, PLA, PCL and TPS polymeric materials individually show some shortcomings, which can be surpassed by blending. Using economically viable procedure, one can produce multicomponent polymeric materials complying with functional performance requirements while achieving complete biodegradation. Accordingly, PLA/PCL/TPS ternary blends with compositional variations were prepared and investigated in terms of structural, morphologic, mechanical, thermal, physicochemical (water absorption, contact angle) and processing properties in order to discuss and elucidate optimal performance of the overall material. In summary, this study could lead to a better understanding of performance behind different blends and ensure producing and using a new generation of biodegradable plastics that will not burden our environment. Keywords Biodegradable materials · Thermoplastic starch · Polylactic acid · Polycaprolactone
Introduction Nowadays, an increasing environmental awareness of the public and stakeholders finally allowed a shift of the focus of the scientific community towards the development of biodegradable materials from renewable sources with the aim of completely replacing conventional non-biodegradable materials in many applications. Namely, the predominate approach to use petroleum-based plastic packaging that endup in landfills where recycling is difficult or restricted needs to be reduced. Recently, the plastics industry displayed an interest in finding alternative sources of raw materials. Many natural materials were considered [1], however polymers produced from natural renewable raw materials, i.e. biopolymers, turned out to be particularly interesting. Namely, biopolymers can successfully substitute for fossil sourced polymers and therefore can contribute to the environment by * Vesna Ocelić Bulatović [email protected] 1
University of Zagreb Faculty of Metallurgy, Sisak, Croatia
University of Zagreb Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Zagreb, Croatia
2
reducing carbon dioxide emissions [1, 2]. Biopolymers are abundant and economically favourable. Despite the increasing use of biopolymers and increased production capacity, the environmental impact on behalf of biopolymer advantageous properties
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