Compatibilization in bio-based and biodegradable polymer blends

TLDR

Biopolymers are increasingly produced and used, yet they generally have inferior properties compared to commodity polymers, though their chemical structure offers opportunities for reactive modification. The article defines key terms, distinguishes degradation from biodegradation, and argues that modification—particularly blending—can improve properties, but further study of miscibility–structure–property relationships is needed. Blending, along with copolymerization, grafting, trans‑esterification, and reactive coupling agents, are employed to improve impact resistance and other properties, with several illustrative examples provided. Biopolymers and their blends are successfully applied in agriculture, consumer goods, packaging, and automotive sectors.

Abstract

The production and use of biopolymers increases continuously with a very high rate thus all information on these materials is very important. This feature article first defines the terms used in the area then discusses the distinction between degradation and biodegradation as well as their importance for practice. Biopolymers often have inferior properties compared to commodity polymers. Modification is a way to improve properties and achieve property combinations required for specific applications. One technique is blending which allows considerable improvement in the impact resistance of brittle polymers. However, further study is needed on the miscibility–structure–property relationships of these materials to utilize all potentials of the approach. The chemical structure of biopolymers opens up possibilities to their reactive modification. Copolymerization, grafting, trans-esterification, the use of reactive coupling agents have all been utilized with success to achieve polymers and blends with improved properties. Several examples are shown for the various approaches and their outcome. Biopolymers and their blends are applied successfully in several areas from agriculture to consumer goods, packaging and automotive.