Biodegradable blends of cellulose with synthetic polymers and some other polysaccharides

Powder blends of low density polyethylene with cellulose were obtained under action of high-temperature shear deformations in a rotor disperser at different initial ratios of the components. It was shown that the composition of the powder fractions is identical to the original blend composition. Using X-ray diffraction analysis the structure of the initial and forming powder blends was investigated, the mechanical characteristics of the prepared films were measured and the features of thermo- and photooxidative degradation were studied. It was established that the addition of poly(ethylene oxide) as well as polysaccharides chitin or chitosan as a third component promotes an increase in the biodegradability of compositions and, consequently, results in the expansion of the possible areas of application of the related materials.