Modification of Low‐Density Polyethylene/Poly(Butylene Succinate)/Polyethylene‐Graft‐Maleic Anhydride ( <scp>LDPE</scp> / <scp>PBS</scp> / <scp>PE</scp> ‐g‐ <scp>MA</scp> ) Polymer Blends via Electron Beam Irradiation

ABSTRACT The accumulation of plastic waste raises serious concerns, which could lead to long‐term issues with waste management, the environment, and the economy. Effects of irradiation followed by the soil burial test were investigated to accelerate the degradation of LDPE/PBS/PE‐g‐MA blends. In this study, low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) was compounded with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) incorporated with polyethylene‐graft‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) compatibilizer. The effects were identified in terms of morphological, thermal, mechanical, and degradation properties. The existence of oxidized groups for irradiated samples proved the polymer oxidation. Exposure to 60 kGy increases the gel content of blends as a result of cross‐linking. Meanwhile, the higher PBS ratios caused the dominant chain scission, resulting in the decrement of tensile strength (TS) with increasing doses. The higher roughness and brittle surface for the blends were noticed at 120 kGy than in unirradiated blends. Irradiation also leads to the formation of a preoxidized sample, subsequently enhancing the degradation. The reduced intensity of oxygen‐based groups proves the degradation due to microbial attack. The increase in surface roughness and holes for irradiated blends after the degradation was noticed. Therefore, the synergistic effect of irradiation and burial tests has the potential to accelerate the degradation of LDPE/PBS/PE‐g‐MA blends.