A facile route to improve compatibilization of low density polyethylene/poly (ε-caprolactone) blends

Low density Polyethylene (designated hereafter as “PE”) is known for its inactivity, durability and resistance to degradation. For this reason adding pro-oxidants additives in PE matrix could be efficient elaborate a material designated Ox-PE, exhibiting chemical reactivity. This modification lead an enhancement of compatibility between Ox-PE other functionalized polymers. approach has been exploited report blends with poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL), biodegradable polymer. Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) thermal characterization by DSC, TGA were applied investigate structural properties PE/PCL (75/25 wt%/wt%) blends, compatibilized 1 Phr 5 Ethylene-co-Glycidyl MethAcrylate (EGMA) copolymer or Ox-PE/PCL mixture. Structural observations the PE75/PCL25 blend SEM revealed phase separated morphology indicating incompatibility PCL. was also confirmed FTIR where no changes noticed concerning characteristic bands either Incorporating EGMA resulted reduced particle sizes dispersed PCL confirming reaction epoxy groups hydroxyl end-groups at interface. Regarding behavior, all exhibited intermediate response that homopolymers. Interestingly, high degree achieved Ox-PE75/PCL25 blend, together lower stability compared PE75/PCL25.