Structure and Physical Properties of Poly (butylene succinate) / Cellulose Acetate Blends containing Tetraisopropyl Titanate

Abstract

The blend films of poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and cellulose triacetate (CTA) were prepared by using the solvent-cast technique. Chloroform was used as a co-solvent and tetraisopropyl titanate (TP) was used as a compatibilizer. Homogeneous blend films were obtained over a wide range of composition. The effects of the addition of TP on the structure and properties of the blend films have been investigated with FT-IR, DSC, TGA, DMA and so on. As results, we have the following conclusions: (i) the addition of TP inhibits the crystallization of PBS molecules in the CTA matrix, (ii) the addition of TP decreases the thermal decomposition temperatures of blend films, (iii) the addition of TP does not influence the mechanical properties of the blend films, and (iv) the addition of TP accelerates the hydrolysis of blend films.