Maleic anhydride grafted poly(propylene carbonate) (PPCMA)/thermoplastic starch (TPS)

PPCMA/thermoplastic oxidized starch (TPOS) and PPCMA/DL-TPOS (TPOS modified by aluminate coupling agent) composites were prepared by melt blending. Effects of starch oxidation and content of DL and DL-TPOS on rheological behavior

morphology and mechanical properties of composites were investigated. The results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the reinforcement in mechanical properties of PPC/starch composites was probably resulted from hydrogen-bonding interaction between carbonyl groups of PPC and hydroxyl groups of starch. The compatibility between PPCMA and TPOS was better than that of PPCMA and TPS. The mechanical property

storage modulus (G')

loss modulus (G'') and complex viscosity (η*) of composites were improved by oxidation of starch. Moreover

the dispersion of TPOS in PPC matrix became better when starch was modified by DL

improving the tensile strength of composites. For PPCMA/DL-TPOS composites

the tensile strength increased by 460% from 2.45 MPa to 13.72 MPa

when DL-TPOS content was from 0 to 40% (mass)

while it decreased when the loading of DL-TPOS was 50% (mass). In addition

G'

G'' and η* of composites was improved with increasing DL-TPOS content.