How reactive extrusion with adipic acid improves the mechanical and barrier properties of starch/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films

• Published in: International journal of food science & technology Vol. 48; no. 8; pp. 1762 - 1769
• Main Authors: Silva, Igor F. E., Yamashita, Fabio, Müller, Carmen M. O., Mali, Suzana, Olivato, Juliana B., Bilck, Ana P., Grossmann, Maria V. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2013; Wiley-Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adipic acid; Biodegradable film; Biological and medical sciences; Blends; Compatibility; Cracks; Extrusion; Food industries; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; mechanical properties; Polymer blends; polymer compatibilisation; Reduction; Starch and starchy product industries; Starches; Biodegradable film; Starch; Film; Mechanical properties; polymer compatibilisation; Extrusion; Polymer; Carbohydrate; Adipic acid; Polysaccharide
• ISSN: 0950-5423; 1365-2621
• DOI: 10.1111/ijfs.12148

Summary Blends of starch with polyesters have commonly been used in the production of biodegradable films. However, the components in the blend are not always miscible; therefore, the use of compatibilisers is recommended. The objective of the present work was to study the compatibilisation effect of adipic acid (0.5%; 1.0%; 1.5% (w/w)) on films consisting of starch/glycerol/poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) produced by reactive extrusion. Films compatibilised with adipic acid exhibited statistically significant increase in tensile strength (from 7.28 to 8.45–9.13 MPa), elongation (in this case only with 0.5% of adipic acid) (516.51–679.10%), Young's modulus (21.72–28.75 MPa) and reduction in water vapour permeability (9.76–8.32 × 10−11 g per s.m.Pa) compared with the control film, which lacked the compatibiliser. Films produced using the compatibiliser also presented a microstructure with fewer cracks. There were no differences in the thermal degradation and crystallinity profile of the films.