Blendas de biopolietileno/policaprolactona com diferentes agentes compatibilizantes

Abstract

The use of biopolymers produced from raw materials from renewable sources is considered as a possible solution to reduce environmental pollution. Biopolyethylene (Bio-PE) produced from ethanol from sugarcane emerges as an alternative to control environmental pollution, provided that it is not disposed of inappropriately in the environment. Polycaprolactone (PCL), which is stable during its useful life, can be degraded in a short period of time, resulting in the production of CO2, water, minerals and stabilized organic matter. This work aims to obtain polymer blends of Bio-PE/PCL with functionalized copolymers: polyethylene grafted with acrylic acid (PEgAA) and polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (PEgMA). The blends were prepared in a co-rotational twinscrew extruder, molded by injection and characterized by: torque rheometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the blends were also evaluated. By torque rheometry, it was found that PEgAA and PEgMA were reactive with PCL, confirmed by FTIR. FTIR spectra indicated possible chemical reactions between PCL and PEgAA or PEgMA. By XRD, it was found that the addition of different PCL and functionalized copolymer contents did not alter the Bio-PE diffraction patterns, as well as the peak melting temperature and crystallization value seen by DSC. By TG, it was observed that the blends exhibited lower thermal stability. The increase in PCL content practically did not alter the tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of the binary blends. However, there was an increase in the final elongation of the ternary blends in relation to the binary blends. However, the impact resistance increased significantly with the presence of PCL and functionalized copolymers. A significant increase in the final elongation of the ternary blends was observed. By MEV, it was observed that the average particle size was significantly reduced for compatibilized blends containing low levels of PCL.