Effect of zeolite 5A on compatibility and properties of linear low‐density polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend

Abstract

Polymer composites consisting of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), thermoplastic starch (TPS), and zeolite 5A (Z), with a constant PE to TPS weight ratio of 70 : 30 and zeolite 5A contents of 1-5 wt % were prepared in the forms of pellets and films by using a co-rotating intermeshing twin-screw extruder and a blown film extrusion line, respectively. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of zeolite 5A on compatibility between PE and TPS, as well as morphological, thermal, and tensile properties of PE/TPS/Z composites. The presence of zeolite 5A increased the miscibility and tensile properties of the PE/TPS blend. Tensile properties of the blend considerably improved after compounding with zeo-lite 5A, as the tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break increased significantly (P 0.05) by up to $ 60, 30, and 70%, respectively. Increasing the zeolite 5A content from 1-5 wt % significantly increased (P 0.05) the tensile strength, modulus, and elongation at break of PE/TPS/Z composites from $ 12 to 16 MPa, 133 to 154 MPa, and 305 to 390%, respectively. However, the addition of zeolite 5A slightly decreased the thermal stability of the PE/TPS blend by $ 5-15 C.

The effects of blend ratio and storage time on thermoplastic starch/poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films

“…4. Native cassava starch has an A-type crystal structure with characteristic peaks at 2 θ of 15.2°, 17.2°, 18.1°, and 22.8° as already reported by Thipmanee and Sane [29]. After starch plasticization with glycerol through extrusion, the A-type pattern of native cassava starch disappeared, clearly revealing new E h -type and V h -type pattern diffraction peaks at 2 θ of 11.9° and 18.5°, and 2 θ of 13.1°, 20.0°, and 24.7°, respectively, as previously established by van Soest et al.…”

Effects of nano‐TiO2 on the properties and structures of starch/poly(ε‐caprolactone) composites

“…Vertuccio et al studied the reinforcement of nanoclay with PCL/starch blends, and they found that the addition of inorganic materials dispersed at a nanometric level was an effective method to overcome the weak adhesion between starch and thermoplastic. Thipmanee et al used zeolite 5A as an inorganic phase to reinforced PCL/starch blends, and they reported that zeolite 5A could improve the physical properties of the composites. Anatase nano‐TiO 2 , which is an inorganic nanoparticle with large specific surface area and high surface energy, has been widely employed in research and development of solar cell, sewage disposal, antibacterial materials, and self‐cleaning materials because of its high photocatalytic activity.…”

Enhancing distributive mixing of immiscible polyethylene/thermoplastic starch blend through zeolite ZSM-5 compounding sequence

“…MPa, without significantly affecting its tensile strength ( Table 2). The increases in both elongation at break and modulus of SII1% composite could be principally attributed to: (i) the improved dispersion of TPS and mixing of PE/TPS blend (Thipmanee & Sane, 2012); and (ii) the reinforcing effect of ZSM5 in PE/TPS blend (Pastor et al, 2012).…”

“…Djoumaliisky and Zipper (2004) have reported on the ability of activated natural zeolite to improve mixing of recycled PE/PP/PS blends. Our previous work has demonstrated that zeolite 5A could be used as both a reinforcing filler and physical compatibilizer for PE/TPS blend (Thipmanee & Sane, 2012), to avoid relatively expensive, complicated, and time-consuming syntheses of chemical compatibilizers.…”