Preparation and characterization of compatibilized composites of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and thermoplastic starch by two-stage extrusion

Abstract Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has good biodegradability and mechanical properties, but its high cost limits its full applications. The incorporation of thermoplastic starch (TPS) into PBAT can significantly lower the cost, but the mechanical properties of the obtained PBAT/TPS composites are dramatically reduced. Herein, the PBAT/TPS composites with excellent mechanical properties were prepared by simple melt-blending extrusion in combination with the reinforcing and compatibilizing strategy. The results showed that the tensile strength of the reinforced and double-compatibilized composite significantly increased by 50%, and its elongation at break increased by 18%. The increased mechanical properties indicated improved compatibility, which was confirmed by SEM. The presence of the additives had no significant effect on the thermal stability and the crystalline structures of the composites. Moreover, the composite melt was a typical pseudoplastic fluid, showing easy processibility. The PBAT-based composites with excellent performance and reduced cost by simple melt-extrusion processing will show promising applications.