Synthesis and investigation of polyethylene blends with natural polysaccharides and their derivatives

Powder blends of LDPE with cellulose, ethyl cellulose, starch, chitin, and chitosan have been prepared under shear deformation in a rotor disperser at different initial-component ratios. The composition of powder fractions is identical to the original composition of the blends. The studied polymer blends demonstrate high mechanical characteristics. X-ray diffraction analysis and DSC studies show that the blending of LDPE with polysaccharides under shear deformations results in changes in the polymer structure and leads to a decrease of their degree of crystallinity. The maximum intensity of mold fungi growth is observed in starch-LDPE (50: 50, wt/wt) and chitin-LDPE (50: 50, wt/wt) blends.