Mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation studies of polystyrene–phthalated starch blends using epoxy functionalized compatibilizer

Abstract

Blends of polystyrene (PS) and esterified starch has been prepared using an epoxy functionalized PS as compatibilizer along with zinc stearate as prooxidant. The starch phthalate (Stph) loading was varied from 20 to 60%. The mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability studies of the blends were carried out as per the ASTM standards and the results were compared with that of neat PS. The blends exhibited enhanced mechanical properties with the addition of compatibilizer although the biodegradation rate slows down. The blend containing 40% starch ester with 12% compatibilizer showed maximum tensile strength. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning colorimetric analyses has been done for the blends, and the neat PS and the glass transition temperature of the blend has been obtained at 327 K. The water absorbency of the blends showed an increase with the increase in loading of Stph and a reduction with the addition of compatibilizer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012

Preparation and characterization of polystyrene/starch blends for packaging applications

“…Direct mixing of TPS powder with PS pellets in organic solvents such as chloroform and melt mixing of compatibilized PS/TPS blends are some of the methods that have been studied. 21 It has been postulated that microorganisms can consume TPS, increasing the porosity and causing a severe reduction in the mechanical properties of the PS matrix, making it lose its structural integrity, dividing it into small parts and thus reducing its molecular weight (chain length) to a level that can eventually be metabolized by microorganisms. [22][23][24][25][26] Thus, increasing the starch concentration would improve the degradability and reduce the cost of products made of PS and would decrease the mechanical properties of the blends.…”

Study of Thermal Relaxation of Poly (HDDA-co-MMA) by Temperature Modulated DSC and Dielectric Spectroscopy

“…Many studies have been devoted to the fundamental understanding of molecular relaxation processes of amorphous and semi crystalline polymers upon heat treatment [1][2][3][4][5] . These studies are important to tune the physical properties of polymers that change as the temperature increases through the glass transition.…”