@Article{JRM.2013.634136,
AUTHOR = {Vu Thanh Phuong, Steven Verstichel, Patrizia Cinelli, Irene Anguillesi, Maria-Beatrice Coltelli, Andrea Lazzeri},
TITLE = {Cellulose Acetate Blends – Effect of Plasticizers on Properties  and Biodegradability},
JOURNAL = {Journal of Renewable Materials},
VOLUME = {2},
YEAR = {2014},
NUMBER = {1},
PAGES = {35--41},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/jrm/v2n1/49651},
ISSN = {2164-6341},
ABSTRACT = {Cellulose acetate (CDA) cannot be processed as raw material because it starts to decompose before 
melting. Triacetin and diacetin were tested to improve CDA processing versus conventional phthalate as 
environmentally sustainable plasticizers, because of their low toxicity and fast biodegradability. The addition 
of triacetin and diacetin allowed melt processing of CDA and the results of tensile tests outlined their effect 
as plasticizers. The values of mechanical properties were compatible with the requirements for applications 
in rigid packaging. From the results of biodegradation tests it can be concluded that for pure cellulose 
acetate, complete biodegradation was obtained within 200 days of testing after reinoculation. Incomplete 
biodegradation was observed for test items with 20% triacetin or with 30% phthalate. After 46 days of 
incubation, the test samples with 30% plasticizer based on triacetin or triacetin-diacetin were completely 
biodegraded. These formulations can be selected for the production of compostable blends 
and/or biocomposites.},
DOI = {10.7569/JRM.2013.634136}
}