The effects of electron beam radiation on material properties and degradation of commercial PBAT/PLA blend

ABSTRACT This work investigates the potential application of e‐beam radiation for sterilization of food packaging made of commercial polyester blend of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactide known under the trade name Ecovio 23B1. Ecovio film was irradiated at doses of 5, 13, and 26 kGy and the effect of sterilization on the microorganism inactivation ability was performed. The influence of radiation doses on structural and packaging properties such as tensile strength, barrier, and migration properties was also studied. 1 H NMR and FTIR analysis revealed no significant changes in the polymer structure, however, the molar mass of irradiated samples decreased with increasing radiation dose. This result indicated the occurrence of degradation process during radiation, which was confirmed by the thermal analysis and accelerated enzymatic degradation. The packaging properties did not changed significantly and the overall migration for 10% ethanol, isooctane, and MPPO was below the limit for all of the studied samples. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137 , 48462.