Polymer blends based on PEO and starch: Miscibility and spherulite growth rate evaluated through DSC and optical microscopy

The miscibility and PEO spherulite growth rate in PEO/starch blends (starch from cassava) were evaluated using the depression in the melting point (by DSC) and optical polarized microscope, respectively, and compared to pure PEO. The PEO/starch blend ratio changed from 100/0 to 60/40 (weight/weight). The starch induces changes in PEO crystallization on PEO/starch blends but the crystallization rates do not change linearly to the blend ratio. For 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 65/35 and 60/40 ratios. lower values for the equilibrium melting temperature were observed as compared to the pure PEO. The obtained interaction parameter value was -0.25 by the use of Nishi-Wang equation. The depression in the equilibrium melting temperatures and the negative value for the polymer-polymer interaction parameter suggest that the blends are miscible in the molten state in the range of investigated ratios, except for the 95/05 ratio in which the equilibrium melting temperature increased relative to the pure PEO. The miscibility should be due to the H-bonds among the hydroxyl groups from starch and oxygen atoms of repeat units of PEO. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.