Effects of triglycidyl isocyanurate on thermal, mechanical, and gas barrier properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/poly(propylene carbonate) composites

Abstract

AbstractThe gas barrier properties of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) films can be improved with poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC), but this will reduce the mechanical properties. In this work, PBAT/PPC composites and the related films were prepared by melt blending followed by film blowing process using triglycidyl isocyanurate (TGIC) as the reactive compatibilizer. Herein, the structure, thermal properties, mechanical properties, and gas barrier properties of the composites were systematically characterized via various techniques. The results indicated that the incorporation of TGIC effectively improved the interfacial compatibility between PBAT and PPC, and enhanced the thermal stability of the composites, especially for PPC. In addition, PBAT/PPC/TGIC films at 1 phr (parts per hundreds of resin) TGIC content exhibited a tensile strength of 30.8 MPa, and an elongation at break of 860%, which are 136% and 142% of those of PBAT/PPC, respectively. Meanwhile, the water vapor transmission rate dropped by 33% at this content. The improvement of mechanics and gas barrier properties makes PBAT/PPC film better meet the requirements of food preservation packaging such as fruits and vegetables.