Abstract
The influence of poly(dioxolane) (PDXL), a poly(ethylene oxide-alt-methylene oxide), as compatibilizer on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL)/tapioca starch (TS) blends was studied. In order to facilitate blending; PCL, PDXL and TS must be blended together directly; so that PDXL is partially adhered at the TS surface as shown by scanning electron microscopy. The molecular weight effect of PDXL on the PCL/TS blends showed that mechanical properties of PCL/TS/PDXL blends from low molecular weight (Mn=10,000) and high molecular weight (Mn=200,000) PDXL were rather dependent on TS content. The enzymatic degradability of PCL/TS/PDXL blends using α-amylase increased as the TS content increased but was independent on the dispersion of tapioca starch in the PCL matrix.
Published Version
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