Characterization of poly(butylene succinate)/glycerol co-plasticized thermoplastic gelatin prepared by melt blending

Biodegradable thermoplastic poly(butylene succinate)/gelatin (PBS/TPG) blends with various blending ratios were prepared by melt mixing technique. The main goal of these blends is to improve the water sensitivity of thermoplastic gelatin by blending it with a hydrophobic biodegradable polymer obtained also from renewable resources. The incorporation of PBS yielded a decrease in absorbed moisture. Under the relative humidity 50 and 100%, the absorbed moisture obtained values were 19 and 229% for pure TPG, 12.3 and 127% for TPG/PBS(80/20), and 1.7 and 37% for TPG/PBS(20/80), respectively. The water resistance increased only for the samples containing a high value of PBS (> 40%wt). Furthermore, mechanical properties and morphological analyses revealed that PBS/TPG blends were immiscible.