Department of Chemical Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In this study, the polyamide6/ thermoplastic starch (TPS) blends were prepared. Firstly, the starch became thermoplastic and was chemically modified using glycerol and maleic anhydride, under different conditions. After the preparation of maleated thermoplastic starch (MTPS), polyamide6/ MTPS (or TPS) blends were produced considering three variables; and the effects of various variables were investigated on their bio-degradability. In both steps, the experimental design method of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used. In the first step, the effects of Maleic Anhydride (MA) amount, time and temperature of the reaction were evaluated on the “degree of MAgrafted on the starch”. With increasing MA content, the processing time and temperature, higher MA grafting was achieved. While at a higher temperature and longer time, it was constant or slightly decreased. The highest grafting of MA was obtained at 140 ºC, 10 min and 4-6 % MA. In the second step, the influences of polyamide6/starch ratio, degree of MA grafting and degradation time were studied on the bio-degradability of the blends in the active sludge, in 90 days. Samples having TPS, showed some weight losses (or degradation) comparing to the purepolyamide6 which had no degradation. The amount of bio-degradation increased clearly with increasing MA grafted on the starch and MTPS amount. A blend containing 30 % MTPS, reached 45 % weight loss after 75 days. Using RSM, the equations of “degree of MA grafting” and “bio-degradation” versus variables, were obtained with suitable accuracy and low error. Besides, the interactions between the parameters were discussed considering 3D plots and the coefficients of the equations. The predicted results from the equations had a good fitting with the experimental data.
Mohammadian-Gezaz, S., khoshhal, A., & Malek, A. (2018). Study on the Biodegradability of Polyamide6 and Thermoplastic Starch Blends Using Response Surface Methodology. Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran, 37(3), 237-250.
MLA
Somayyeh Mohammadian-Gezaz; Abbas khoshhal; Amirhossein Malek. "Study on the Biodegradability of Polyamide6 and Thermoplastic Starch Blends Using Response Surface Methodology". Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran, 37, 3, 2018, 237-250.
HARVARD
Mohammadian-Gezaz, S., khoshhal, A., Malek, A. (2018). 'Study on the Biodegradability of Polyamide6 and Thermoplastic Starch Blends Using Response Surface Methodology', Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran, 37(3), pp. 237-250.
VANCOUVER
Mohammadian-Gezaz, S., khoshhal, A., Malek, A. Study on the Biodegradability of Polyamide6 and Thermoplastic Starch Blends Using Response Surface Methodology. Nashrieh Shimi va Mohandesi Shimi Iran, 2018; 37(3): 237-250.