Polarity manipulation in polystyrene for enhanced bio-polymer miscibility

A method of making a styrenic polymer comprising a biodegradable component comprising:

• combining a styrenic monomer and a comonomer comprising a polar functional group to form a combined mixture, wherein the comonomer comprising a polar functional group is selected from the group consisting of caprolactone(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol(meth)acrylate, silyl-(meth)acrylate, and fluoro-alkyl(meth)acrylate;
• subjecting the combined mixture to polymerization to obtain a polar modified styrenic co-polymer;
• and
• combining the polar modified styrenic co-polymer with a biodegradable component and a polar additive to obtain the styrenic polymer comprising the biodegradable component, wherein the biodegradable component comprises polylactic acid, and wherein the polar additive comprises poly(1,4-butylene adipate), epoxidized linseed oil, or combinations thereof.