Reactive extrusion of bio-based polymer blends and composites – Current trends and future developments

Abstract

Abstract.Reactive extrusion is a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly method to produce new materials with enhanced performance properties. At present, reactive extrusion allows in-situ polymerization, modification/functionalization of polymers or chemical bonding of two (or more) immiscible phases, which can be carried out on commonly used extrusion lines. Although reactive extrusion has been known for many years, its application for processing of bio-based polymer blends and composites is a relatively new direction of scientific research. This work presents a literature review on recent advances in the processing of bio-based polymer blends and composites via reactive extrusion. We described compatibilization mechanisms for different types of biodegradable polymeric materials based on: (i) aliphatic polyesters, (ii) aliphatic polyesters/starch and (iii) aliphatic polyester/natural rubber systems. A special attention was focused on conventional and dynamic cross-linking of bio-based polymer blends and composites as an effective way to prepare new materials with unique properties e.g. biodegradable thermoplastic elastomers or shape-memory materials. Advantages and limitations affecting future trends in development of biodegradable polymer blends and composites reactive extrusion are also discussed.

Morpho-Structural, Thermal and Mechanical Properties of PLA/PHB/Cellulose Biodegradable Nanocomposites Obtained by Compression Molding, Extrusion, and 3D Printing

“…Peroxide induced cross-linking is a frequently used technique to generate high-performance polymeric blends. Thus, an improvement of properties can be achieved by in situ reactive compatibilization, which is an effective, fast, solvent-free, low-cost and ecologic method to process PLA blends [14]. The decomposition of peroxides into free radicals promotes cross-linking, chain scission and branching in the polymer matrix thus influencing the melting behavior, crystallinity, and mechanical properties [15].…”

Vegetable Additives in Food Packaging Polymeric Materials

“…Extrusion, injection molding, film casting [20], reactive extrusion [15]. For incorporating starch in plastics, commercialized technologies As a filler in biodegradable food packaging materials [22][23][24] or in plastic films can improve Figure 2.…”

Effect of copolymers synthesized by nitroxide‐mediated polymerization as chain extenders of postconsumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) waste

“…Consequently, there is a need to develop an appropriate technology for improvement of r-PET properties, to make it suitable for new applications. Several methods, such as the addition of virgin polymers [8], fillers [9], compatibilizers [10][11][12][13], and chain extenders [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] have been described in the literature to compensate for PET degradation by mechanical reprocessing.…”