Poly(butylene succinate) (PBS)/ionic liquid plasticized starch blends: Preparation, characterization, and properties

An ionic liquid (IL) (1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride, [BMIM]Cl) was used as a plasticizer of starch for the preparation of PBS/starch blends and compared to those using glycerol, a classical plasticizer of starch. IL showed a stronger plasticization effect on starch than glycerol and prevented the recrystallization of starch. IL was also found to increase the degree of crystallinity of PBS/starch blends and lead to better dispersion of starches in the PBS matrix, and consequently enhanced the mechanical properties of the blends. With the IL/starch ratio 0.3, the obtained PBS/TPS blend had the elongation at break 89% of that of neat PBS.