Effect of citric acid on the blends of poly butylene succinate and thermoplastic corn starch

This research focuses on the development of environmentally friendly and cost-effective materials by blending Poly (Butylene Succinate) (PBS) with thermoplastic corn starch (TPS). The study investigates the impact of incorporating citric acid (CA) and citric acid-modified castor oil polyurethane (PUCA) as compatibilizers in PBS/TPS (70:30) blends. Reactive extrusion is employed to prepare the blends, varying the proportions of CA (1 %, 3 %, and 5 %) and PUCA (10 %, 20 %, and 30 %). Comprehensive analyses of mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation at break, thermal behavior including melting and crystallization temperatures, rheological properties, morphological characteristics observed through scanning electron microscopy, and biodegradation effects provide valuable insights into the influence of CA content on the blend performance. These findings contribute to the design of sustainable materials suitable for applications such as food packaging, agricultural films, and single-use products. The investigation also sheds light on the potential of PBS/TPS blends as eco-friendly alternatives in various industries.