Study of Biodegradation on Packaging Films Derived from Potato Starch and Maleic Anhydride Grafted LDPE and LDPE Polymer Part-II

Maleated low density polyethylene (with 0.5 % grafted maleic anhydride) & low density polyethylene have been mixed (11) to prepare base material, which has been further mixed with Potato Starch (0-15 %) in single step through commercial grade twin screw extruder and thereafter packaging films have been blown. Samples analyzed through morphology, and Carbonyl Index. The effect of mixing of maleic anhydride grafted LDPE and LDPE (11) with 0-15 % starch had shown improvement in mechanical properties of compositions significantly because of the presence of higher percentage of maleic anhydride. Morphological study revealed that degradation in high starch containing samples was high which was confirmed by physical surface examination through SEM. Although Carbonyl Index (CI) measurement is not a direct measurement of degradation but study revealed that there is continuous percentage increase of CI in higher starch containing samples. Which shows that the percentage increase in Carbonyl Index is directly proportional to starch contents in the samples, hence, could also be considered as a direct indicator of degradation.