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Microstructures and properties of polybutylene succinate/soy protein isolate composites compatibilized by “in situ” graft copolymer

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Abstract

Polybutylene succinate (PBS)/soy protein isolate (SPI) bio-composites were “in situ” compatibilized with addition of dibenzoyl peroxide (BPO) and polyethylene glycol (400) diacrylate (PEG400DA) by melt processing. The microstructures and various properties of the uncompatibilized and compatibilized bio-composites were investigated thoroughly. The increased tensile strength and water resistance of the compatibilized composites were ascribed to the improved compatibility and enhanced adhesion in the composites. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Soxhlet extraction experiments, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) revealed the presence of the “in situ” graft copolymer (SPI-g-PEG400DA-g-PBS), which strengthened interfaces between PBS matrix and SPI domain. The “in situ” graft copolymer improved the hydrophobicity and thermal stability of the composites. Moreover, it also augmented the entanglements between the phases and increased viscosity and elasticity of the melt. Furthermore, the crystallinity of the composites was also increased by the grafts. However, the crystal structure of PBS was not modified in the bio-composites.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).

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  1. College of Materials and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816, People’s Republic of China

    Xiu-xian Zhou & Qiang Dou

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QD contributed to the research conception and experimental design. The preparation experiments and data analyses were executed by XZ. The first draft was written by XZ and QD revised the manuscript. The authors approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Qiang Dou.

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Zhou, Xx., Dou, Q. Microstructures and properties of polybutylene succinate/soy protein isolate composites compatibilized by “in situ” graft copolymer. J Therm Anal Calorim 148, 1921–1934 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-022-11855-x

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