Degradability of extruded polyethylene/chitosan blends compatibilized with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride under natural weathering

ABSTRACT The impact of chitosan on the natural weathering behavior of two blends obtained by mixing either polyethylene (PE) with chitosan or PE, chitosan and polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PEgMA) as a compatibilizer is analyzed. In order to follow the weathering behavior of both the uncompati...

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Published in:Journal of applied polymer science 2014-11, Vol.131 (22), p.np-n/a
Main Authors: Rodríguez-Félix, Dora Evelia, Quiroz-Castillo, Jesús Manuel, Grijalva-Monteverde, Heriberto, del Castillo-Castro, Teresa, Burruel-Ibarra, Silvia Elena, Rodríguez-Félix, Francisco, Madera-Santana, Tomás, Cabanillas, Rafael Enrique, Herrera-Franco, Pedro Jesús
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anhydrides
Blends
Chitosan
Compatibility
Degradation
Materials science
mechanical properties
Polyethylenes
Polymer blends
Polymers
polyolefins
polysaccharides
properties and characterization
Weathering
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Summary:ABSTRACT The impact of chitosan on the natural weathering behavior of two blends obtained by mixing either polyethylene (PE) with chitosan or PE, chitosan and polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PEgMA) as a compatibilizer is analyzed. In order to follow the weathering behavior of both the uncompatibilized and compatibilized systems, the blend films are exposed to outdoor conditions for 6 months. The weathering behavior of the films is monitored by mechanical tests, spectroscopic Fourier transform infrared, and morphological analyses at different weathering periods of time. The presence of chitosan in the blends accelerates significantly the degradation of the films. Apparently, PEgMA also accelerates the photo‐oxidation rate of the films. This behavior appears to be related to the photo‐oxidative instability of maleic anhydride, and also to the better dispersion of chitosan in the PE matrix, which is due to the interactions in the PE/chitosan interface caused by the addition of the compatibilizer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 41045.
ISSN:0021-8995
1097-4628
DOI:10.1002/app.41045