Furan epoxy resin (FER) was firstly used to improve the compatibility between PLA and starch by reactive extrusion.The SEM results indicated that the compatibility between PLA and starch was significantly improved by the reactive compatibilization of FER.According to the static contact angle test
the surface chemical property of starch changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic during the melting extrusion.The 1H-NMR
FTIR and XPS results demonstrated that the FER reacted with starch and PLA simultaneously during the melt blending
resulting in a better compatibility of PLA/starch composites.The DSC analysis indicated that the crystallinity of PLA matrix in PLA/FER/starch composites was increased from 4% to 29%.It was resulted from that FER could improve the interface property between PLA matrix and starch
then starch showed a better nucleation effect on PLA matrix.Moreover
the mechanical properties of PLA composites including flexible strength
flexible modulus and impact strength are all significantly improved
while maintaining the high strength and modulus of PLA