Compatibilization of polypropylene/ poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) blends

Abstract

Blending polypropylene (PP) with biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) can be a nice alternative to minimize the disposal problem of PP and the intrinsic brittleness that restricts PHB applications. However, to achieve acceptable engineering properties, the blend needs to be compatibilized because of the immiscibility between PP and PHB. In this work, PP/PHB blends were prepared with different types of copolymers as possible compatibilizers: poly(propylene-g-maleic anhydride) (PP-MAH), poly (ethylene-co-methyl acrylate) [P(E-MA)], poly(ethylene-coglycidyl methacrylate) [P(E-GMA)], and poly(ethylene-comethyl acrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) [P(E-MA-GMA)].The effect of each copolymer on the morphology and mechanical properties of the blends was investigated. The results show that the compatibilizers efficiency decreased in this order: P(E-MA-GMA) > P(E-MA) > P(E-GMA) > PP-MAH; we explained this by taking into consideration the affinity degree of the compatibilizers with the PP matrix, the compatibilizers properties, and their ability to provide physical and/or reactive compatibilization with PHB.

Mechanical and morphological properties of LDPE/ PHB blends filled with castor oil pressed cake

“…However, application of this polymer is limited due to its high production cost and some properties, such as: high brittleness. Therefore, blending of PHB with suitable polymers may offer the opportunity to obtain cheaper products with improved mechanical properties [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] . Besides, blending conventional polyolefins with PHB has been considered an alternative to minimize the disposal problem in landfills and improve the instrinsic britlleness that restricts PHB applications 2,19,22 .…”

“…Therefore, blending of PHB with suitable polymers may offer the opportunity to obtain cheaper products with improved mechanical properties [15][16][17][18][19][20][21] . Besides, blending conventional polyolefins with PHB has been considered an alternative to minimize the disposal problem in landfills and improve the instrinsic britlleness that restricts PHB applications 2,19,22 . According to Felisberti 21 , PHB blends may be considered biodegradable or partially biodegradable on basis of the biodegradation behavior of the combined polymer.…”

LDPE/PHB blends filled with castor oil pressed cake

“…In the last decades PHB has attracted much interest in medical and agricultural applications owing to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Blending conventional polyolefins with PHB can be a considerable alternative to minimize the disposal problem in landfills and improve the instrinsic britlleness that restricts PHB applications 6,11,12 . According to Felisberti et al 13 , PHB blends may be considered biodegradable or partially biodegradable on basis of the biodegradation behavior of the combined polymer.…”

Thermally stable low‐density polyethylene/polyhydroxybutyrate pairs: Synergy between organomodified nanoclay and LDPE‐g‐MAH

“…Within the group of petroleum‐based polymers, LDPE is the most used industrial thermoplastic material in packaging applications due to its good mechanical properties, such as flexibility, excellent processability, and good chemical resistance . However, as mentioned earlier, LDPE discarded wastes persist for many years in their original form after disposal and have a negative effect on the environment.…”

“…In another study, Abdelwahab investigated PHB/polystyrene (PS) blends using triblock copolymer PS–PHB–PS as a compatibilizer . Also, compatibilization of PP/PHB blends using various grafted copolymers applied as coupling agents and the effects on evolution of morphology were reported . However, to the best of our knowledge, there has been limited study of LDPE/PHB nanocomposites, and a compatibilized LDPE/PHB nanocomposite system has not been reported yet.…”