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Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers
Published on: September 3, 2014
Thermal, morphological and structural characterization of a copolymer of starch and polyethylene
Aurelio Ramírez-Hernández1, Carmen E Hernández-Mota1, Delia E Páramo-Calderón2
1Instituto de Química. Universidad Del Papaloapan, Circuito Central #200. Colonia Parque Industrial, Apartado Postal 68301, Tuxtepec, Oax., Mexico.
Abstract:
The objective of this paper was to perform a copolymerization between polyethylene and starch in order to obtain new environmentally friendly materials. The copolymer obtained was characterized thermally, morphologically and structurally, including its pasting profile. The starch-g-PE copolymer showed lower thermal stability compared to the control materials. FTIR analysis determined that the chemical bond signal between the starch and polyethylene in the copolymer overlaps with the native starch signals. The signal from this chemical bond was assigned by proton NMR spectroscopy at δ 4.45 ppm. X-ray studies of the copolymer showed a material with more amorphous characteristics compared to native starch. SEM analysis demonstrated the presence of cracks in the starch granules which favored the chemical interaction between the polymers. The pasting behavior of the copolymer was less pronounced compared to native starch. Therefore, the copolymerization of both polymers could be an alternative to recycle polyethylene and make biodegradable materials.
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