INVESTIGATION OF THE BIO DEGRADABILITY OF THE STARCH MODIFIED POLYPROPYLENE WITH THE HELP OF MALEIC ANHYDRIDE AS A COUPLING AGENT

Abstract

Polypropylene was modified with starch in 1/20 ratio by adding a coupling agent in the absence and presence of a compatiblizer so as to produce a modified polypropylene with the advantage of bio-degradability in lesser time as compare to normal time span of degradation. As polypropylene a hydrophobic material and starch a hydrophilic material, so maleic anhydride was used as a coupling agent and PVA used as a compatiblizer to produce proper formation of bond. For the proper inter-mixing of the polymers they were swollen by aromatic compound such as toluene at elevated temperature. The material produced was tested in IR Spectroscopy, Universal Testing Machine, Water Absorption Test, Soil Burial Test and Scanning Electron Microscopy for the checking of proper inter-mixing, change in mechanical properties and to check the bio-degradability respectively.