Abstract Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is widely used for production of biodegradable films due to its high elongation, excellent flexibility and good processability properties. However, PBAT is costly with prices approximately double or even triple the prices of traditional plastics like polyethylene. Fully biodegradable PBAT/TPS blends are prepared through melt extrusion of PBAT and thermoplastic starch (TPS) to significantly reduced PBAT cost. Effects of reactive epoxy compatibilizer (REC) and preparation methods on morphology and properties of PBAT/TPS blends were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mechanical analysis, rheological measurement, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential canning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Results indicated that REC effectively improves compatibility of PBAT/TPS blends and extends polymer chains of PBAT. Blends obtained through two-step extrusion showed a bicontinuous phase structure without phase separation or starch particles, which were observed in blends prepared through one-step extrusion. Excellent mechanical properties were obtained even with high contents of TPS through two-step extrusion in the presence of REC.

中文翻译：

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低成本和高性能 PBAT/热塑性淀粉混合物的反应增容和性能

摘要 聚（己二酸丁二醇酯-对苯二甲酸丁二醇酯）（PBAT）由于其高伸长率、优异的柔韧性和良好的加工性能而被广泛用于生产可生物降解的薄膜。然而，PBAT 价格昂贵，价格约为聚乙烯等传统塑料价格的两倍甚至三倍。完全可生物降解的 PBAT/TPS 共混物是通过 PBAT 和热塑性淀粉 (TPS) 的熔融挤出制备的，以显着降低 PBAT 成本。使用扫描电子显微镜 (SEM)、力学分析、流变测量、凝胶渗透色谱 (GPC)、差示罐装量热法 (DSC) 和热重分析 (TGA)。结果表明REC有效地提高了PBAT/TPS共混物的相容性并延长了PBAT的聚合物链。通过两步挤出获得的共混物显示出双连续相结构，没有相分离或淀粉颗粒，这在通过一步挤出制备的共混物中观察到。在 REC 存在下，通过两步挤出，即使 TPS 含量高，也能获得优异的机械性能。