Studies on the Combined Impact of Starch Source and Multiple Processing on Selected Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate Blends

Abstract

Thermoplastic starch (TPS)/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blends compatibilized with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) were prepared from various native starches (potato, maize and waxy maize) and subjected to multiple extrusion cycles. Source of starch has significant impact on its composition, hence properties of obtained TPS and their blends with EVA. Higher content of amylopectin in waxy maize starch, comparing to other types, enhanced the mechanical performance and increased tensile strength and elastic modulus even by 41 and 71%, respectively. Such effect was related to the branching of amylopectin and was confirmed by SEM analysis of fracture areas, which showed more ductile behavior for blends with higher content of amylose. Multiple processing had beneficial impact on the performance of blends, due to the increasing compatibility and more homogenous structure after additional processing time. FTIR analysis indicated higher extent of compatibilization reaction, which, together with finer morphology, resulted in the enhancement of mechanical performance. Such effect is very beneficial from application point of view, because materials can be reprocessed without the loss of properties.

Recent advances in compatibilization strategies of wood-polymer composites by isocyanates

“…Other, less common methods of modification, including fatty acid modification, sodium chloride treatment, benzoylation, triazine, or isocyanate treatment, were rather scarcely described and analyzed. Modification (Hejna et al 2019) with isocyanates was rather briefly mentioned, and despite the multiplicity of available literature reports, only a few of them were described. Therefore, the aim of the presented paper was to summarize and analyze recent literature reports regarding this issue.…”

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bioplastics Production from Starch and Lignocellulosic Components

“…This variation in starch molecule composition may be related to starch biosynthesis enzymes, soil type, and climatic conditions during plant growth [ 67 ]. Due to the difference in the amylose/amylopectin ratio of the different starch botanical sources, the gel and bioplastics produced can present different gelatinization temperatures, mechanical and rheological properties [ 67 , 68 , 69 ]. Thus, it is important to consider the type of starch used to elaborated bioplastics.…”

Bio‐Based Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/Thermoplastic Starch Composites as a Host Matrix for Biochar Fillers

“…8b have to be considered. Characteristic bands of TPS are found at 1365 cm -1 (C-H bending in CH2 [53]), 1230 cm -1 (O-H bending [54]), 1075 cm 1 (C-H in methylene groups [55]), and cm -1 (C-O stretching of the anhydro glucose ring [56]). Due to the strong band at cm -1 of TPS, no conclusions can be made using the XCFT-IR parameter to access the influence of the biochar particles on the crystallinity of the PHB/TPS/char samples.…”