On the Properties of Extrusion‐Blown Films of Poly (butylene) succinate Copolymer Composites with Chitosan and Nanoclay

ABSTRACT In the current research, the effect of different natural ingredients on the structure and properties of extrusion‐blown films of polybutylene succinate copolymer (PBSA) composites is analyzed. High deacetylation degree chitosan (C98M) and chitosan oligosaccharide (C98) are compared for assigning antimicrobial properties, whereas organically modified nanoclay (NC) is used to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of the developed hybrid composites. It is demonstrated that the minimum amount of the chitosan additive for assigning antimicrobial properties to PBSA composites is 7 wt.%. The amount of nanoclay in the hybrid film compositions may be changed in the range of 1 and 3 wt.%, ensuring effective stiffness and strength increase without excessive decrement of extensionality. Results of preliminary oscilliatory and rotation viscometry measurements reveal that recommended processing temperature of the developed hybrid composites is below 140°C. The obtained extrusion‐blown PBSA hybrid films are characterized with respect to their structural and exploitation properties using FTIR, DSC, TGA, moisture vapor transmission rate, as well as tensile analysis. It is demonstrated that from the developed PBSA formulations with antimicrobial chitosan additive C98, and nanoclay NC hybrid films may be produced with a yield strength ca 11 MPa and an ultimate break of ca 550%.