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Title: Starch/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Graft Copolymers Synthetized by γ-Radiation and Their Application as Compatibilizer in Polymer Blends

Journal Article · · Journal of Polymers and the Environment
 [1]
  1. Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Departamento de Química (Argentina)

Synthesis of starch-graft-poly(-caprolactone) copolymers (St-g-PCL) was achieved under vacuum by employing low doses of {sup 60}Co γ-radiation. Irradiation synthesis was carried out by using glass vials containing gelatinized starch suspension and ε-caprolactone (-CL) monomer. Two starch:-CL mass ratios were employed 1:0.1 and 1:10. Irradiated samples were exhaustively treated with chloroform in order to remove homopolymer traces. Fourier transform infrared spectra of extracted samples showed a characteristic band associated to stretching vibration of carbonyl group, an indicative that PCL was grafted onto starch backbone. A grafting degree between 9 and 12% was achieved according to thermogravimetric analysis. Thermoplastic starch/PCL blends (TPS/PCL) with different amounts of St-g-PCL copolymers were prepared in order to test their thermal and mechanical properties. The addition of the synthesized copolymer did not show substantial changes over thermal properties, meanwhile significantly increased their maximum tensile strength and Young’s modulus since St-g-PCL enhances the interfacial adhesion between starch and PCL chains. Graphic Abstract: .

OSTI ID:
22959253
Journal Information:
Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Vol. 27, Issue 12; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2019 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1566-2543
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English