Films of starch and poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate) added of soybean oil (SO) and Tween 80

Starch extruded in the presence of a plasticizer results in a material called thermoplastic starch (TPS). TPS mixed with poly(butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAT), soybean oil (SO), and surfactant may result in films with improved mechanical properties due to greater hydrophobicity and compatibility among the polymers. This study characterized films produced from blends containing 65% TPS and 35% PBAT with SO added as compatibilizer. The Tween 80 was added to prevention of phase separation. The elongation and resistance were greater in the films with SO. The infrared spectra confirmed an increase in ester groups bonded to the PBAT and the presence of groups bonded to the starch ring, indicating TPS-SO and PBAT-SO interactions. The micrographs suggest that the films with SO were more homogenous. Thus, SO is considered to be a good compatibilizer for blends of TPS and PBAT.