Biodegradability of Cellulose Acetate Plasticized with Citrate Esters

Cellulose acetate (CA) was melt compounded with two different citric acid esters: triethyl citrate and acetyl triethyl citrate. It was observed, based on the glass transition temperatures, that both plasticizers were miscible with CA. The addition of plasticizer reduced the tensile modulus and increased the elongation of CA. The biodegradation rates increased dramatically with an increase in plasticizer content.