High‐performance poly(lactic acid)/starch materials prepared via starch surface modification and its in situ enhancement

Abstract

High‐performance modified poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/starch (ST) blends were prepared by incorporating silane coupling agent. The coupling agent acted as a bridge between PLA and ST components, enhancing their interfacial compatibility during the melt blending. The addition of epoxy‐functionalized silane coupling agent improved the interfacial adhesion between PLA and ST phases, as evidenced by the decreased number and spacing of gaps between the ST particles and PLA matrix. The coupling agent also filled the surface crack of the ST particles, improving their dispersion in PLA matrix. The tensile strength of the modified PLA/ST blend increased from 19.6 MPa for the neat PLA/ST blend to 53.4 MPa, exceeding that of neat PLA. The modified blend also showed improved hydrophobicity and thermal stability. This research presented an effective approach to reducing the cost of PLA‐based materials and improving the performance of ST‐filled PLA materials by enhancing the interfacial adhesion between ST and PLA through surface modification with silane coupling agent. It provided a simple and feasible strategy for the high‐performance modification of polyester/ST materials.