Processing and Properties of Starch-Based Thermoplastic Matrix for Green Composites

RIBBA, LAURA; LORENZO, MARÍA CECILIA; TUPA, MARIBEL; MELAJ, MARIANA A.; EISENBERG, PATRICIA; GOYANES, SILVIA

Green Composites

Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

Año: 2021; p. 63 - 134

The high availability and low cost, added to its renewable, biobased and biodegradable nature,make TPS a promising alternative to the non-biodegradable plastics produced from fossilresources. However, in order to be competitive, its mechanical and water vapor barrierproperties, as well as its stability in high moisture environments, must be improved. In thischapter strategies for the development of TPS matrix composites such as those obtained fromstarch/biodegradable polyesters blends are developed. In particular two systems are deeplydescribed: PBAT/starch and PHB/ starch. The chosen polyesters have the important advantageof being biodegradable in soil, very stable in water due to their hydrophobic character, andmechanically good enough to improve starch?s properties. The inclusion of fillers andstrategies to improve polymers compatibility, including the use of compatibilizers, polymersmodifications and special processing conditions, are reported. The properties of thesematerials are studied from three key points for their application: thermal, barrier andmechanical. The results show that the combination of the two strategies, making a blend andincluding fillers, leads to the best results. However, there is still much to improve, especiallyregarding the compatibility between the involved phases.