Thermoplastic Starch

Abstract

Starch is a biopolymer that is widely available from agriculture/nature and thus is renewable and cheap. In addition, starch-based materials are biodegradable, offering a great advantage over traditional nonbiodegradable synthetic polymers. However, the poor processibility and product performance of starch have greatly impeded the wide application of starch in real applications. This paper reviews the current developments of the production of thermoplastic starch as a commodity renewable material. The biological origins of the feedstock, formulation development, processing requirements, as well as the important aspects that need to be addressed when designing a product from starch are discussed. It is hoped that this paper will provide insights into thermoplastic starch-based materials trends and and inspiration for future research.

Green Development of Biodegradable Films Based on Native Yam (Dioscoreaceae) Starch Mixtures

“…The samples that presented more solubility contained more than 17% of the D. piperifolia (samples: 2; 4; 6; 7; and 9) and D. trífida (samples: 3; 5; 6; 7; and 10) native starches. Solubility differences could also be attributed to the amount of glycerol used and its interaction with the starch which in turn is influenced by characteristics including botanical origin, constituents (e.g., amylose and amylopectin ratio, protein, and lipid content), rheological, and gelatinization properties …”

Influence of Hybrid Cellulose/Bentonite Fillers on Structure, Ambient, and Low Temperature Tensile Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Composites

“…Therefore, the plasticized starch is referred to as thermo‐mechanoplastic, other than being thermoplastic . The plasticization process involves de‐structuration of the semicrystalline granular structure of starch by a plasticizer . Through this transformation, the mechanical properties of the starch can be enhanced.…”

Incorporation of Oregano Essential Oil Microcapsules in Starch‐Poly (Butylene Adipate Co‐Terephthalate) (PBAT) Films

“…In addition, such practice provides new and technologically important alternatives for the use of biomass . Starch is one of the most widely studied biodegradable polymers for use as packaging material because of its abundance, low cost, and its ability to be processed in standard conventional polymer manufacturing equipments . However, the moisture resistance and mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch films are relatively low as compared to those of synthetic polymers .…”

“…[1][2][3] Starch is one of the most widely studied biodegradable polymers for use as packaging material because of its abundance, low cost, and its ability to be processed in standard conventional polymer manufacturing equipments. [4] However, the moisture resistance and mechanical properties of thermoplastic starch films are relatively low as compared to those of synthetic polymers. [5,6] Several studies have shown that such properties can be improved by blending starch with other biodegradable polymers.…”