Effects of preparation method on properties of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films

Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) films were prepared using 4 different preparation methods and the effects of the processing method on physical, mechanical, and structural properties of PBAT films were studied. Films were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis. All films were white in color and exhibited high UV-barrier properties. Films prepared using solvent casting (SC) were less transparent than other films. No structural changed were observed among PBAT films but films prepared at high temperatures exhibited a higher degree of crystallinity. Extrusion-cast (EC) films exhibited highest tensile strength values, while solvent-cast (SC) films had the lowest TS values. The water vapor permeability and water contact angle were not affected by the processing method. The degree of crystallinity of EC films was higher than for other films.