Poly (Ɛ-caprolactone)/TOPAS blend for packaging application

Abstract

In this research, two bio-degradable polymers Poly (ɛ-caprolactone) PCL and TOPAS have been blended together to study their morphology, structure, Thermal, Thermo-mechanical, Biodegradation behavior and antimicrobial activity for bio-degradable packaging applications. Blend of PCL/TOPAS have been prepared with different concentrations (5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 wt.%) by solvent-casting. Morphology and structural properties were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) showed increased crystallization with increasing fraction of PCL in PCL/TOPAS blends. No significant intermolecular interactions proved immiscibility between PCL/TOPAS blends observed by FTIR. SEM clearly shows as two phase morphology with the PCL particles coarsely dispersed in the continuous matrix of TOPAS. High interfacial tension was observed results in immiscibility of blends. Thermal and thermo mechanical properties of PCL/TOPAS blend were studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). DSC revealed the decrease in Melting and crystallization temperatures of PCL with the fraction of TOPAS in blends indicate the dominating amorphous component of TOPAS inhibits the structural organization of minority PCL component. DMTA revealed the increase in modulus of blend at 10% concentration indicate high stiffness as it is confirmed by swelling test. Anti-bacterial resistance was studied by using ASTM-G21. Blend of PCL and TOPAS showed resistance against all bacterial and fungal strains used in this study.