Preparation, characterization, and biodegradation of poly(butylene succinate)/cellulose triacetate blends

Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and cellulose triacetate (CT) were blended using chloroform as solvent. The solid-state properties of PBS/CT blends were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and water contact angle measurements. FTIR results show that PBS and CT were physically blended. Tensile strength was not distinguished when the weight percent of CT was <15%, and Young's modulus increased gradually with increasing CT. DSC and XRD results show that the crystals were homogeneous, and crystallinity had no apparent decrease when <10% CT was added to the PBS matrix. However, the addition of more CT components could destroy the crystal behavior of PBS. SEM showed that no phase separation occurred between the two materials. The addition of CT increased the hydrophilicity of PBS/CT1-15 blends. The weight loss was nearly 90% after 16 h of degradation for PBS/CT10. The appropriate proportion of PBS to CT was 90:10.