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Effect of plasticizers on microstructure, compatibility and mechanical property of hydroxypropyl
Liang Zhang1, Xian-Fen Wang2, Hongsheng Liu3
1School of Food Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China; Centre for Polymer from Renewable Resources, School of Food Science and Engineering, SCUT, Guangzhou, China; Department of Materials Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
Abstract:
Polymer film blends of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) were produced with an incorporation of three different plasticizers, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycerol and 1, 2-propylene glycol (PG) respectively, and the influence of these plasticizers were compared and studied by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), small angel X-ray Scattering (SAXS), optical microscope and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Results showed that multi-scale structure of the blends were greatly affected by the plasticizers and therefore caused significant changes in mechanical properties. In the course, blends with glycerol presented lamellar structure rather than self-similar structure. Moreover, crystalline degree was increased with an order of glycerol > PEG > PG, whereas the compactness of amorphous region of all samples was decreased by PEG and PG.
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