Characteristics of blended films using waste pulp modified with alkyl ester groups

Several blended films were prepared from esterified pulps (EPs) and polyoxalate (POX). The mechanical properties of the films were enhanced as POX content increased. EP and POX appeared to be compatible, judging from the increment of elongation. EP with a shorter alkyl chain length had a higher elastic modulus. Thermal gravimetric analysis revealed that the thermal stability of the blended films was significantly influenced by the composition ratios. EP-POX blended films had intermediate storage modulus values of EP and POX, which increased as the POX contents. became larger. The biodegradability of EP-POX blended films was influenced by not only the composition ratio but also the substitution degree of EP and the chain length of the alkyl ester groups.