MALEIC ANHYDRIDE-ASSISTED MELT REACTIVE EXTRUSION OF PLA/TPS

In this paper, the grafting of Maleic Anhydride (MA) onto both Polylactic acid (PLA) and Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) blend in the presence of Dicumyl Peroxide (DCP) through one-step reactive compatibilization melt process was achieved. Then the maleation effect on the thermal properties as well as morphology of the blends was assessed. Examinations from DSC thermograms demonstrated that both Tg and Tm of reacted blends shifted to lower temperature as a result of plasticization effect of MA. In addition, FTIR spectra cast light on the MA grafting and showed that grafting yield as well as acid number has an ascending trend once MA content increased. Eventually, by means of morphological observations, it was concluded that the presence of MA would improve the interfacial adhesion of the PLA and TPS phases and hence a reduction in TPS particle diameter which representative of compatibilization role of MA.

کلیدواژه ها:

Reactive extrusion ، PLA ، Thermoplastic Starch ، Plasticizer ، Compatibilizer