Characterization of doping polycaprolactone (PCL) and nano calcium carbonate (NCC) into polystyrene (PS) thermoplastic network

Abstract

Abstract A series of Polystyrene (PS)-doped Polycaprolactone (PCL) and nano Calcium Carbonate (NCC) blends were prepared using the injection molding and characterized using various techniques to examine the after-effects of blending. Both the FTIR spectra and thermal characteristics proved physical interaction between the ingredients. The tensile strength and Young`s modulus (concerning the mechanical properties) decreased from 40.30 ± 0.852 to 32.78 MPa ± 0.99 and from 3208 ± 45.00 to 2807 MPa ± 30.23 ‘respectively’ as a consequence of NCC agglomeration with increasing its content and the inter-diffusion of lower Young`s modulus PCL within the matrix’s chains. On the other side, the plasticizing action of PCL was responsible for increasing the elongation from 2.0 ± 0.01 to 2.9% ±0.04 and the reduction in the flexural strength from 75.00 ± 0.93 to 47.70 MPa ± 1.45. The biodegradation evaluation readings suggested that microorganisms consumed the PCL, which was responsible for the total weight loss, after 4 months of burial in the soil, and deteriorating the blend’s properties. These results were supported by applying both SEM imaging and mechanical properties testing before and after the degradation.