XRD Studies of the Morphological Changes Generated by Interface Agents for Obtaining New Scalable Sustainable Blends Based on Starch and PCL

Abstract

The starch–PCL blends are important from a practical point of view. Due to the hydrophobic nature of PCL, its blends with starch are immiscible. Therefore, these blends must be compatibilized to control the interface’s properties and the thermodynamic stability over time. A physical compatibilization solution, easier to scale up in industrial conditions, was attempted. The results showed better compatibility between the two tested polymers because of the grafted olefin polymer that eliminates the net difference between the in-contact phases, by creating an interface area, strengthening the multicomponent system and reducing the morphological defects as voids.

Keywords

• immiscible polymers
• interphase
• melt compatibilizing
• XRD
• SEM