Compatibility and characterization of Bio-PE/PCL blends

Abstract

In this work, blends based on environmentally friend polymers such as Biopolyethylene (Bio-PE), Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Polyethylene graft maleic anhydride (PEgMA) added as compatibilizer agent were produced by conventional extrusion, aiming to produce bio-blends with synergic properties at low processing cost, being at same time non-polluting and therefore contributing to the environment preservation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that blending does not significantly interfere on the melting and crystallization behaviors of neat polymers, suggesting being low miscibility compounds. Mechanical properties were observed changing with blend composition as the impact strength significantly increased reaching values higher than 130% when compared to neat Bio-PE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed honeycomb morphology in Bio-PE/PCL blends, and the addition of PEgMA decreased the coalescence contributing to obtain more stable and synergic compounds. Bio-PE/PCL/PEgMA at 80/20/10 contents presented the best properties and may be used for packaging materials (food containers, film wrapping), and hygiene products.

From Waste to Reuse: Manufacture of Ecological Composites Based on Biopolyethylene/wood Powder with PE-g-MA and Macaíba Oil

“…Figure 10 shows the results of the heat de ection temperature of BioPE and composites, with and without macaíba oil, respectively. It is observed that the HDT value for BioPE was 70.3°C, value close of the literature [65].…”

Novel Antioxidant Packaging Films Based on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) and Almond Skin Extract: Development and Effect on the Oxidative Stability of Fried Almonds

“…Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is a chemically synthesized polymer which is fully biodegradable and can be processed using conventional plastics machinery [ 29 ]. Moreover, it has good properties and is also compatible with other materials [ 30 ]. Regarding the use of PCL for active packaging applications, Khalid et al [ 31 ] developed biodegradable antimicrobial packaging films based on PCL, starch and pomegranate rind hybrids showing a strong antimicrobial efficiency at higher concentrations of the active compound.…”

Poly(ε‐caprolactone): A potential polymer for biodegradable food packaging applications

“…According Bezerra et al, the addition of Bio‐PE to PCL reduced the elastic modulus, increased the elongation at break and impact strength, allowing a control of these properties by changing the blend composition. PCL chains when oxidized exhibited new functional groups (vinyl and hydroxyl) and possible intermolecular recombination, producing an oxidized‐polycaprolactone (PCL‐OX) 81 . The blend prepared with oxidized PCL (in the same composition range) did not display signs of thermodynamic miscibility but showed an interesting thermal behaviour demonstrated by changes in the crystallization temperatures of both phases and by the melting behaviour of the PCL‐OX in the blend.…”