Maria Cristina KANTUN-UICAB
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Isis RODRÍGUEZ-SÁNCHEZ
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Francisco Javier RODRÍGUEZ-GONZÁLEZ
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Juan Gregorio HORTELANO-CAPETILLO
In this work, the reactive compatibilization of Polylactic Acid/Thermoplastic Starch (PLA/TPS, 80/20% w/w) blends using acrylic copolymers of methyl methacrylate-glycidyl methacrylate (MMA-GMA) was examined. The compatibilization was studied using torque rheometry, thermal analysis (DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and mechanical properties. During melt mixing, the torque of PLA/TPS blends decreased, this was related to the breakup of starch chains. The addition of MMA-GMA copolymer increased the torque during the mixing period. This torque increasing is evidence of a viscosity increase and it was related to the reactions between the epoxy group present in the acrylic copolymer, the end-groups of the PLA and TPS hydroxyl groups. The morphologies of the compatibilized blends showed a decrease in the particle size of the TPS domains and an increase in elongation of 30%. The reactive compatibilization is an interesting technique to expand the property range of PLA materials, which can potentially substitute oil-based materials.
Efecto de la adición de copolímeros reactivos a mezclas de PLA/ATP