Abstract

LORENZO, A.T; SABINO, M.A  and  MULLER, A.J. Estudio De La Biodegradación De Una Polimezcla De Poli( E -Caprolactona) Y Almidón De Maiz (Pcl/Alm) Y Su Compatibilización Con Almidón Plastificado. Rev. LatinAm. Met. Mat. [online]. 2003, vol.23, n.2, pp.25-35. ISSN 0255-6952.

The biodegradation of Polycaprolactone (PCL) and maize starch (Alm) blends in comparison to PCL/Starch/Plasticized Starch blends was studied in: (a) compost and (b) an enzymatic commercial complex. The plasticization of starch (Alm p ) was achieved with glycerol and urea and this material was evaluated as a compatibilizer for PCL and Alm. The results have shown that the incorporation of Alm to the PCL matrix increases the weight loss as a function of degradation time since the starch component is easily removed leaving the synthetic polymer more susceptible to degradation and to the attack of the microorganisms that are present in the compost. When the enzymatic complex is employed, similar results are obtained but at much shorter times. Apparent viscosity measurements indicated a significant reduction in PCL molecular weight after 12 weeks immersion in compost. The PCL degradation was also corroborated by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) analysis that showed the presence of acid groups coming from the breakage of ester bonds. Plasticized starch was found to be an effective compatibilizing agent for the PCL/Alm blend as evidenced by the morphological changes it induced in the compounded material that were observed by scanning electron microscopy.

Keywords : Polyblends; PCL; Starch; Biodegradation.