Preparation and Effect of Gamma Radiation on The Properties and Biodegradability of Poly(Styrene/Starch) Blends

Biodegradable blends based on Poly(styrene/starch) Poly(Sty/Starch) were prepared by the casting method using different contents of starch in the range of 0–20wt% aiming at preparing disposable packaging materials. The prepared bio-blends were Characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), swelling behavior, mechanical properties, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the swelling behavior slightly increased with increasing starch content and not exceeding 7.5%. The results showed that by increasing irradiation dose up to 5kGy, the mechanical properties of the prepared PSty/10wt% Starch blend film modified than other blend films, and hence it is selected. Also the water resistant increased, by irradiation of the selected PSty/10wt% Starch blend film. The intermolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between Starch and PSty of the PSty/10wt% Starch blend film promote a more homogenous blend film as shown in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The prepared Poly(Sty/Starch) blends with different compositions and the selected irradiated PSty/10wt% Starch blend were subjected to biodegradation in soil burial tests for 6 months using two different types of soils; agricultural and desert soils, then analyzed gravimetrically and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results suggested that there is a possibility of using irradiated PSty/10wt% Starch at a dose of 5 kGy as a potential candidate for packaging material. •The irradiated PSty/10wt% Starch blend by dose 5 kGy has modified properties.•The irradiated PSty/10wt% Starch blend can be used as packaging material.•Total dose of 20 kGy increase the biodegradability due to great degradation effect.•The degradation in agricultural soil is slightly higher than that in desert soil.•Radiation processing will prove to be a good alternative to chemical modifications.