Title page for E-project-042009-104344

Project Type MQP

Submission date 2009-04-20

Authors
Rachel Erica Katz, CH
Andrew D Peter, CM

URN E-project-042009-104344

Center Nancy, France

Title Biodegradable Polymers: Blends of Starch and Poly(lactic) Acid

Advisor
Camesano, Terri Anne, CM

Availability unrestricted

Abstract
The objective of this project was to investigate the effect that plasticizers had on starch and poly(lactic) acid blends. The type and ratio of plasticizers used was varied. Water, glycerol and citric acid were added to starch, which was plasticized and blended with PLA. After each step, the mixtures were characterized using DSC, GPC, SEM, IR spectroscopy and mechanical testing. It was determined that a 70/18/12 blend of starch/water/glycerol blended 50:50 with PLA had the best properties.

Files
Biodegradable_Polymers_Blends_of_Starch_and_Polylactic_Acid.pdf

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Project Type	MQP
Submission date	2009-04-20
Authors	Rachel Erica Katz, CH Andrew D Peter, CM
URN	E-project-042009-104344
Center	Nancy, France
Title	Biodegradable Polymers: Blends of Starch and Poly(lactic) Acid
Advisor	Camesano, Terri Anne, CM
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract The objective of this project was to investigate the effect that plasticizers had on starch and poly(lactic) acid blends. The type and ratio of plasticizers used was varied. Water, glycerol and citric acid were added to starch, which was plasticized and blended with PLA. After each step, the mixtures were characterized using DSC, GPC, SEM, IR spectroscopy and mechanical testing. It was determined that a 70/18/12 blend of starch/water/glycerol blended 50:50 with PLA had the best properties.
Files	Biodegradable_Polymers_Blends_of_Starch_and_Polylactic_Acid.pdf