Effect of Babassu Mesocarp Incorporation on the Biodegradation of a PBAT/TPS Blend

The influence of thermoplastic starch (TPS) and babassu mesocarp incorporation on the biodegradation of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), PBAT, PBAT/TPS blend, and its biocomposite were investigated. PBAT/TPS blend (70:30) and its biocomposite containing 20% babassu (i.e., 17:58:25% wt/wt babassu mesocarp/PBAT/TPS system) were prepared by melt blending in a torque rheometer at 150 degrees C. Samples for biodegradation were obtained by hot pressing. Size exclusion chromatography showed that incorporation of TPS and babassu mesocarp to PBAT led to a reduction in PBAT molecular weight on the blends and composite. The reduction was higher on the blends than in the composite. Respirometry data showed that while addition of TPS accelerated biodegradation incorporation of babassu retarded it.