Abstract
In this study, extrusion technology was used to produce biodegradable plastic pellets which were composed of poly (3-hyroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate) (PHBV), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and corn-starch. The biodegradable plastic pellets were blended with glycerol and the triethyl citrate (TEC). Response surface methodology which adopted a three-variable and three-level experimental design was chosen for finding the relationship between the responses (max. loading, max. displacement, water absorption) and the variables. The operating parameters were the ratios of PHBV/(PHBV + PVA) (50%, 70%, 90%), the barrel temperature (125˚C, 140˚C, 155˚C), and the screw speed (30 rpm, 40rpm, 50 rpm), respectively. The total weight of one treatment was one kilogram, including the major and auxiliary formulations 80% and the plasticizers 20%, respectively. The fixed parameters were the corn-starch 350 g, glycerol 85 g, and TEC 35 g, respectively. The best ranges of the operating parameters (70% ＜ PHBV/(PHBV + PVA) ＜ 76%; 139˚C ＜ barrel temperature ＜ 142˚C; 39 rpm ＜ screw speed ＜ 41 rpm) were determined by the optimization process in RSM. The individual contour plots of the different responses were overlaid, and the regions meeting 132.51 N, 4.55 mm, and 39.11% were identified at 72.26%, 140.2˚C, and 39.46 rpm. Therefore, the extruded pellets can be applied to industry.
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