Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced Nanocomposites

Abstract

Fossil oil derived materials exhibit non‐degradable properties with a limited availability. To overcome these limitations, a biodegradable starch/poly(ε‐caprolactone) based Coloisite‐20A nanocomposites are developed in this research study. The overall performance of these newly developed nanocomposite materials is deeply investigated. First, the morphological analysis of the nanocomposites is examined using X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Thereafter, mechanical performance of the nanocomposites is analyzed through tensile and flexural tests. The water‐based contact angle and sorption testing are conducted to confirm the hydrophobic or hydrophilic nature of the nanocomposite. Finally, the degradation behavior of this nanocomposite is estimated by the soil‐burial tests followed by Fourier transform infrared analysis, field emission electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. All the experiments are performed for the control and the test samples. The developed nanocomposites exhibit maximum tensile strength of 6.30 MPa with a water sorption of 6.08% for a 24 h of water immersion tests. On the other hand, the soil‐burial degradation reflects a maximum weight loss of 45.4% after 56 days of degradation period. Hence, moderately hydrophobic, low strength, biodegradable hybrid nanocomposites are developed to counter the use of non‐degradable plastic composites.

Effect of Chemical Modification of Melicoccus Bijugatus Jacq Starch on the Fabrication of Poly(lactic acid)/Starch Films

“…The change in the appearance of the surface of the starch granules is probably due according to Sánchez [20] to an important exocorrosion in the granules of modified huaya and maize starch that caused the outer layers of the granules to break by chemical reaction with the hexamethyl diisocyanate and the catalyst (DBTDL), thus forming new layers of HDI on the surface of the granules, thus altering the molecular structure of the starch, [18] causing the native granules to undergo “metamorphosis”, that is, a change in their appearance and size. This is because, during the heating at 60 °C in the chemical modification, the mixture became more viscous because at that temperature the starch granules begin to lose their molecular ordering, where the hydrogen bonds of the amorphous region of the granules break allowing the isocyanate groups of HDI to associate with the free hydroxyl groups of amylose and amylopectin of starch, causing the granules to swell and gradually increase their volume [21–22] . The reactions of the isocyanate groups in HDI‐grafted starch with the hydroxyl groups in avocado oil and the terminal carboxylic acid groups of PLA formed a layer on the starch surface.…”

“…This is because, during the heating at 60 °C in the chemical modification, the mixture became more viscous because at that temperature the starch granules begin to lose their molecular ordering, where the hydrogen bonds of the amorphous region of the granules break allowing the isocyanate groups of HDI to associate with the free hydroxyl groups of amylose and amylopectin of starch, causing the granules to swell and gradually increase their volume. [21][22] The reactions of the isocyanate groups in HDI-grafted starch with the hydroxyl groups in avocado oil and the terminal carboxylic acid groups of PLA formed a layer on the starch surface.…”

“…The epoxidation of avocado oil was carried out with peracetic acid formed in situ following the procedure described by Sinadinović and Park. [20,21] A reflux condenser located in the central nozzle with a magnetic stirrer was placed in a three-necked flask, and a thermometer and a separatory funnel were placed in the side nozzles. 100 g avocado oil, 114.5 ml toluene, 47.66 ml glacial acetic acid and 10 g amberlite were added to the flask.…”

Development and characterizations of jarosite waste reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) composites: A sustainable approach toward solid waste management

“…Starch, polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA), and so on are some examples of bio-derived plastic. 2,3 The environmentally detrimental effects of petroleumbased plastics could be avoided by using bioplastic. However, due to their high cost and poor physical, mechanical, and water resistance qualities, these bioplastics are not easy replacements for nondegradable thermoplastics.…”

Improving water resistance property of starch straw by synergistic effects of chemical crosslinking, physical barrier, and surface modifications

“…Starch has attracted the attention of many scholars because it is cheap, renewable, easy to obtain, and biodegradable. [16][17][18][19][20] It is considered feasible to use starchbased materials as traditional plastic substitutes. However, starch-based materials easily absorb water in highmoisture environments.…”