The effect of natural modifiers for starch hydrophobization on performance of composite based on ethylene acrylic acid copolymer

As a renewable resource, starch is considered to be fully biodegradable and nonpolluting to the environment but the hygroscopicity of starch is the main disadvantage for wider applicability in the production of a polymer‐based material. Hydrophobically modified starch prepared using natural‐based plasticizers/modifiers in a first step ([−]‐diisopropyl D‐tartrate [DiPT], ricinoleic acid [RA] and epoxidized soybean oil [ESO]), and maleated polypropylene (MAPP) in a second step contributed to better compatibility, and thus reinforcing of composites. Tailored processing conditions, structural/morphological properties, hydrophobicity, and water‐resistance of the modified starch were established. In addition, the Charpy impact and tensile strength of composites, based on poly(ethylene‐co‐acrylic acid) (EAA) and modified starches, were determined. Increased tensile strength and Young modulus of the composite using starch‐modified with DiPT‐MAPP, that is, 3 and 83%, respectively, indicated the possible applicability of obtained materials.