Sustainable Compatible Packaging Films From Biodegradable Poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/Sweet Potato Starch Composite: Structure and Properties.

Developing sustainable materials as alternatives to conventional plastics addresses environmental concerns and promotes a circular economy for a greener future.Therefore, preparing high-performance poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)/sweet potato starch (SS) composite materials is essential in developing eco-friendly materials, reducing costs, and extending PBAT uses. This study used melt blending and injection molding to prepare PBAT/SS composite materials with polycaprolactone-based polyurethane prepolymer (PCLPU) as a compatibilizer. Subsequently, the effects of SS and PCLPU contents on the composite material's structure and properties were studied. The results of the mechanical performance test indicated that adding 5 wt% PCLPU increases the strength of the composite from 13.3 to 17.9 MPa. The composite material's elongation at break remained constant, indicating that PCLPU maintained its original toughness and enhanced the strength of the composites. Additional findings from the thermogravimetric, water absorption, and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that the PBAT/SS composites containing PCLPU had improved compatibility, thermal stability, and water absorption. Moreover, the composite material could be successfully blown into a thin film, suggesting its potential for various applications, especially in plastic films. The successful development of films from PBAT/SS composite shows encouraging prospects for fabricating sustainable packaging materials with significant practical applications.