Bio-Based Electroactive Composite Biopolymer Films From Cassava Starch / Anacardic Acid

Abstract

The United Nations have established Responsible Consumption and Production as one Sustainable Development Goal. This goal demands strategies for the efficient utilization of natural resources, agro-industrial waste, and the development of eco-friendly materials. Thus, the objective of this work was to develop bio-based films synthesized with anacardic acid (AA) extracted from the Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (CNSL) and starch extracted from cassava. Biopolymer films were synthesized at different pH values with various concentrations of AA. The biopolymer films prepared at basic pH presented higher tensile strength and the addition of AA also contributed to increasing the tensile strength. Infrared spectroscopy allowed the establishment of possible hydrogen bond interaction between AA and the polymeric chain of cassava starch, which could contribute to its higher tensile strength. The degradation rate was not affected by the synthesis pH, but by the presence of AA. Cyclic voltammetry allowed evidence of the electroactivity of glucose and AA in the composite biopolymer films. The results allowed it to conclude that it was possible to obtain a composite biopolymer from thermochemical synthesis with AA and cassava starch. The presence of AA can improve tensile strength, decrease the rate of biodegradability, and improve the electroactivity of the films.