SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS FROM BIODEGRADABLE AND BIO-BASED POLYMERS

摘要

Technology innovations are critical to successfully deal with global sustainability challenge and resource availability/affordability. Utilization of renewable resources to create polymeric materials is one of the approaches to address the challenge. Low-cost starch was converted into thermoplastic starch (TPS) first, however, pure TPS cannot be used directly for product applications due to its hydroscopic nature, low ductility, and limited processability. Through extensive development, sustainable materials having good melt processability and mechanical properties were developed. The resulting materials were made from biodegradable polymers including TPS and biodegradable polyesters and other additives. Various extrusion process innovations were achieved in order to produce such sustainable polymers. The process conditions were found to have a significant effect on the performance of such polymers. Sustainable packaging films were developed from thermoplastic starch and other polymers. Biodegradable packaging films having tailored performance will be discussed. Hybrid bio-based packaging films were developed from compatibilized blends of TPS, and polyolefin. It was found that the films' properties were determined by multiple factors including the ratio of TPS to polyolefin, the type and amount of compatibilizer, etc. TPS-based fibers were also successfully created.