Effect of Starch Nanocrystals on the Properties of Low Density Polyethylene/Thermoplastic Starch Blends

Abstract

In this study, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Thermoplastic Starch (TPS) reinforced with different amounts of Starch Nanocrystals (SNCs) with and without Dicumyl Peroxide (DCP) were blended in an internal mixer. The XRD results showed that crystallinity decreases with increasing SNC content with and without DCP. Tensile test results showed that elongation at breaking, tensile strength, and elastic modulus are lower than that of neat LDPE, whereas, the elastic modulus for the LDPE/TPS/SNC5%/DCP is higher than that of LDPE. AFM showed a decrease in the roughness of the surface after the addition of SNC and the surface become less rough after DCP addition.

Keywords

• nanocomposites
• thermoplastic starch
• ldpe
• starch nanocrystals
• dcp