High-Performance and Biodegradable Composites Based on Well-Characterized Cellulose and Poly (Butyleneadipate-Co-Terephthalate)

Abstract

As a flexible biodegradable polymer, polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) is used for packing. However, high cost and limited properties restrict its applications. Due to the hydrophobic nature of poly butylene terephthalate (PBAT), low mechanical properties are especially showed when PBAT and the hydrophilic nature of cellulose blend. Here, in order to increase the interfacial adhesion between cellulose and PBAT, the γ-(2,3-epoxypropoxy) propytrimethoxysilane (KH560) was used as a reactive compatibilizer to modify cellulose. We demonstrate the method of one-step compounding and subsequent extrusion blowing, which is a simple and environmentally-friendly approach to fabricate a series of K-Cellulose/PBAT (KH560-Cellulose/PBAT) composites. The morphology and structure of the cellulose were measured by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). Meanwhile, thermal analysis of the hybrids showed an improvement of the thermal stability of the composites upon increasing the silanized cellulose content. In addition, the barrier properties of films are measured by WVP and OP. Finally, after adding reactive compatibilizer KH560, mechanical properties testing of the samples showed considerable improvement with increasing the cellulose content. Therefore, the composites prepared with these enhanced properties have great potential as substitutes for traditional commodity polymers.