Preparation and properties of lignocellulosic fiber/CaCO3/thermoplastic starch composites.

Lignocellulosic fiber (LCF)/CaCO3 (CG)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) composites were prepared by blending LCF/CG hybrid (82/18, g/g) with glycerin and corn starch in different weight ratios (0/35/100, 27/35/100, 54/35/100 and 81/35/100, g/g/g) at 130℃, which were then characterized by rheology, XRD, SEM and DSC analysis, tensile test and soil burial test. When the dosage of LCF/CG was not more than 54 g, LCF and CG in LCF/CG/TPS composites were well dispersed, and the corresponding composites had better rheological properties. XRD results showed that the crystallinity of TPS in the presence of LCF/CG was significantly reduced after melt blending process, which caused by the inhibition effect of LCF on the crystallization of TPS. The tensile test results showed that the tensile strength, modulus and elongation at break of LCF/CG/TPS composite were better than those of pure TPS. Besides, due to the looser structures, LCF/CG/TPS composites biodegraded faster than pure TPS.