Synthesis and Characterization of compatibilizers for blends of Polypropylene carbonate and Polybutylene succinate via free radical grafting of Maleic Anhydride _Data Files

This study focuses on creating an optimal grafting compatibilizer for blends of Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) and Polybutylene succinate (PBS). PPC and PBS were blended separately with different amounts of maleic anhydride and with and without a peroxide to aid the free radical grafting. Titration analysis evidenced that MAH reacted with the polymers terminal groups and backbones via free radical functionalization. TGA and GPC results demonstrated how the thermal stability of PPC improves with the addition of MAH. The compatibilizer that was determined to be most reactive and stable of all the formulations analyzed was PPC with 2% MAH and DCP; it greatly increases the the strain at break of blends of PPC and PBS.