Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol.74, No.11, 2594-2604, 1999
Morphology and enzymatic degradation of thermoplastic starch-polycaprolactone blends
This study's aim was to evaluate the effect of processing conditions on the morphology and enzymatic degradation of 50/50 (w/w) thermoplastic starch-polycaprolactone blends. The blends, produced from native potato starch, glycerol, and polycaprolactone in a melt mixer using different mixing speeds and temperatures, were cocontinuous, and the blends were very homogeneous. Enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using Bacillus licheniformis alpha-amylase and Aspergillus niger glucoamylase on both milled and intact samples. The thin layer of polycaprolactone (approximate to 5 mu m) formed on the surface of the thermoplastic starch-polycaprolactone blends during compression molding strongly reduced the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis.
Keywords:MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES;POTATO STARCH;BIODEGRADABILITY;POLY(EPSILON-CAPROLACTONE);BEHAVIOR;SYSTEMS