Bio Degradability test of blend of PLA and modified starch

RUBBER TECHNOLOGY

Blends were prepared from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and thermoplastic starch (TPS) to study component interactions, structure and properties. Starch was plasticized with cashew nut shell oil (CNSL). The results unambiguously showed that the interaction of the two components is weak. The investigation of the possible partitioning of CNSL in the two phases indicated that most of the plasticizer is located in the TPS phase. Thermodynamic modeling predicted some dissolution of PLA in TPS which was assisted by the presence of the plasticizer, but TPS did not dissolve in PLA at all. No tangible proof was found for the formation of CNSL rich phase in TPS, the relaxation transition assigned to this phase was rather explained with the movement of smaller structural units of starch molecules. Weak interfacial adhesion does not allow stress transfer through the interface resulting in poor strength and small deformation.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.