Creating value-added biodegradable multi-layered films with As-desired functions

Abstract

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA), poly (butylene succinate) (PBS), and thermoplastic starch (TPS) are good models for biodegradable multi-layered films. In the first part, PLA and PBS were formed as multi-layered film. The results reveal that phase separation occurs between two-phase polymers. Poly (lactic acid-b-butylene succinate) (PLA-b-PBS) copolymer was prepared by conjugating reaction to be compatibi-lizer. The addition of PLA-b-PBS copolymer for 0.5 phr can improve compatibility between PLA and PBS phases resulting in improvement of oxygen barrier properties and mechanical properties, especially elongation at break. In the second part, PLA and TPS were processed to form as multi-layered film. It can be concluded that an increase of the elongation at break of multi-layered film when amount of TPS increase was observed. Moreover, percent of water absorption was increased with TPS content.