Naslov
Biodegradability of blends based on aliphatic polyester and thermoplastic starch

Autori
Ocelić Bulatović, Vesna ; Kučić Grgić, Dajana ; Slouf, Miroslav ; Ostafinska, Aleksandra ; Dybal, Jiri ; Jozinović, Antun

Izvornik
Chemical papers (2585-7290) 73 (2019), 5; 1121-1134

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
aliphatic polyester ; thermoplastic starch ; biodegradation ; composting process

Sažetak
In this work biodegradable aliphatic polyester blends of polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactide (PLA) were melted and blended with a natural and biodegradable thermoplastic starch (TPS). The TPS employed in this study was obtained by plasticization of isolated wheat starch using glycerol as plasticizer. Morphology as well as thermal properties of the blends was investigated, and water vapor permeability as a barrier property was also monitored. The biodegradability of the biodegradable blends was performed by a composting process on laboratory scale. The composting process was conducted in an adiabatic closed reactor for 21 days and during composting process it was monitored temperature, pH-value, % moisture and volatile matter and evolved CO2. Biodegradation of the blends were determined by weight loss, as well as monitoring of morphological surface change. The thermophilic phase prevailed in the composting process, indicating intensive biodegradation of substrate as well as biodegradation of investigated ternary blends. Since, microorganisms use starch as a carbon source, adding of TPS causes considerable acceleration of biodegradation of ternary blends due to higher water vapor permeability as a result of the hydrophilic nature of starch. The thermoplastic starch was first degraded within the blend, which was facilitated access to the microorganisms of other ingredients in the blend, encouraging the biodegradation of other components.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemijsko inženjerstvo, Interdisciplinarne tehničke znanosti, Biotehnologija

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