Degradative Investigation Of Zinc Salt Of Poly(Ethylene-Co-Methacrylic Acid) Compatibilized LDPE-Starch Blends With Metal Oxide Pro-Oxidants

Abstract

Metal oxides (iron oxide, manganese dioxide, titanium dioxide (anatase and rutile grades)) in various compositions (0.5 and 1 weight%) were added into EMA-Zn (5%) compatibilized low density polyethylene-starch blends. Mechanical properties, melt flow indices, biodegradability, photodegradability, photobiodegradability, water absorption, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy were used to assess the role of small amounts of metal oxides as pro-oxidants in the blends. With the addition of metal oxides, the mechanical characteristics of the mixes changed. Thermal characterization using TGA and DSC revealed that the addition of metal oxides changed the thermal stability and crystallinity. Various degradative investigations suggest that the inclusion of metal oxides improves the blends' degradability.