Microwave-assisted modification of starch for compatibilizing LLDPE/starch blends

Modification of activated cassava starch (S) was performed by using octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) at different starch/OSA ratios under microwave radiation. FTIR and titration results indicated that, within a reaction time of 7 min, degrees of substitution (DS) of about 0.045 may be achieved with 20% OSA. Subsequently, linear low density polyethylene/starch (LLDPE/S) blends were prepared employing succinylated starches (S-g-OSA) as compatibilizers. The morphology and mechanical properties of LLDPE/S blends with and without compatibilizer were compared. It was observed that the addition of 10% of compatibilizer with respect to the dispersed phase content led to a reduction of the starch phase size and to an improvement of the blends mechanical properties.