Synthesis and characterization of biocomposites based polypropylene/thermoplastic starch- reinforced with natural STIPA TENACISSIMA fibers and PP-g-MA

The current work aims to develop environmentally friendly plastic materials by preparing a composite polypropylene/thermoplastic starch (PP/TPS) using melt-compounding process. In order improve the compatibility of two naturally incompatible polymers, natural Stipa tenacissima fibers treated on their surfaces and polypropylene (PP) pellets grafted with Maleic Anhydride (MA) were added mixture (PP TPS). was then prepared melt-mixing method in various concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/Differential thermal (DTA), mechanical tensile tests used characterize formulations. SEM images revealed that addition (PP-g-MA) resulted good plasticization higher thermoplastic dispersion matrix. It also discovered increasing TPS concentration over PP tends reduce properties. However, 15% had best (TGA) results organic filler acted as reinforcing agent, stability compound.