Preparation of high‐performance poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/thermoplastic starch compounds with epoxidized soybean oil as compatibilizer

Abstract

Biodegradable poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) has excellent processing and mechanical properties. However, PBAT is expensive and its relatively slow biodegradation rate limits its wide application. In this paper, PBAT/thermoplastic starch (TPS) complexes were prepared by a two‐step process using epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) as a reactive compatibilizer. The compatibilizing ability of ESO was investigated by FT‐IR and GPC. Results showed ESO could form a chemical bonding interface with PBAT and TPS. Compared to PBAT/TPS, tensile strength, elongation at break and tear strength of PBAT/TPS/5%ESO composites increased by 84%, 53%, and 68%, respectively. The optical transparency of the PBAT/TPS/5%ESO film improved by 6% compared to the PABT/TPS film. This research offers a viable solution for the preparation of high performance, green PBAT/TPS complexes.

Chemical recycling of poly(butylene terephthalate) into value-added biodegradable poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)

“…After polymerization for 180 min, the M n of PBAT-2/1 was increased to 50 kg mol −1 , much higher than PBATs synthesized by typical CP (∼30 kg mol −1 ). 42 The polymerization kinetics plot is presented in Fig. 2b.…”

“…Generally, PBAT is prepared via traditional melt CP using 1,4-butanediol (BDO), adipic acid (AA), terephthalic acid (PTA) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) as monomers. 40–42 To obtain high molecular weight PBAT, high vacuum and long polymerization time are usually applied to remove the small molecular byproducts. However, due to the ongoing side reactions ( e.g.…”