MnSt ₂ –kaolin–polyethylene film: An eco‐friendly polyethylene composite film and its thermo‐ and biodegradable research

A novel thermo‐ and biodegradable MnSt ₂ –kaolin–polyethylene (signed as MKPE) composite film was prepared through a melt blending technique. Manganese stearate and common kaolin were employed as thermo‐degradable additives and biodegradable promoter to improve the degradable efficiency of the waste PE. Thermo‐oxidative testing was carried out in an air oven maintained at 70°C simulating a compost temperature. The biodegradation of the aging films was also investigated by analysis of evolved carbon dioxide of films in aquatic test systems according to the International Standards ISO 14852 (1999). The composite film was characterized by electronic universal testing machine, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, attenuated total reflection‐flourier transformed infrared spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis. These results showed that the MKPE film exhibited a high degree of susceptibility to thermo‐oxidation and biodegradation. After thermal aging for 30 days, the mechanical properties of MKPE films reduced quickly and oxygen groups were introduced into the polymer chains. The kaolin particles wrapped in polymers were exposed gradually because of the rupture of polymer chains by thermal aging. The biodegradation degree reached 24.26% after incubation in an aqueous medium for 60 days. A possible mechanism for thermal oxidative degradation and biodegradation was also discussed. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:939–945, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers