Effect of two types of plasticizers on the properties of biodegradable polyester blends

GIACOMINI, ANTONELLA; HANKOVITS, MELINA; D'AMICO DAVID ALBERTO; MANFREDI, L.B.; CYRAS, VIVIANA P.

Mar del Plata

Simposio; Simposio Latinoamericano de Polímeros; 2018

In recent years, the interest on the use ofbiodegradable polymers has increased because of theirlower environmental impact compared to thecommodity plastics.Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a thermoplasticbiodegradable polymer produce by microorganisms. Itpresents good barrier properties to water vapor,oxygen and UV light; however, it is highly crystallineand brittle 1 . In order to improve their processing andmechanical properties, plasticizers and/or anotherpolymer could be added 2,3 .Polylactic acid (PLA) is other biodegradable polyesterwhich has mechanical properties comparable tocommodities polymers. It has better mechanicalresistance and is cheaper than PHB. Nevertheless, PLAhas poor barrier properties 4,5 .In this work, the development of biodegradable blendsbased on PHB and PLA with improved propertiescompared to the pure polymers was proposed. Twotypes of plasticizers, one of low molecular weight(glyceryl tributyrate, TB) and other polymeric(polydiethyleneglycol adipate, A) were added to theblends in order to study their influence on thestructure and the mechanical properties of the finalmaterials.