Effect of TiO2 Nanoparticles and Extrusion Process on the Physicochemical Properties of Biodegradable and Active Cassava Starch Nanocomposites

Abstract

Biodegradable polymers have been strongly recognized as an alternative to replace traditional petrochemical plastics, which have become a global problem due to their long persistence in the environment. In this work, the effect of the addition of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NP) on the morphology, physicochemical properties and biodegradation under industrial composting conditions of cassava starch-based nanocomposites obtained by extrusion at different screw speeds (80 and 120 rpm) were investigated. Films performed at 120 rpm (S120 and S120-TiO2NP) showed completely processed starch and homogeneously distributed nanoparticles, leading to much more flexible nanocomposites than those obtained at 80 rpm. The incorporation of TiO2NP led to an increase in storage modulus of all films and, in the case of S120-TiO2NP, to higher strain at break values. From the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts theoretical model (KWW), an increase in the relaxation time of the nanocomposites was observed due to a decrease in the number of polymer chains involved in the relaxation process. Additionally, S120-TiO2NP showed effective protection against UV light, greater hydrophobicity and faster biodegradation in compost, resulting in a promising material for food packaging applications.

A Biodegradable and Active Bilayer Nanocomposite Obtained from Starch‐Yerba Mate Extract and Starch‐TiO2 Nanoparticles Films for Packaging Applications

“…These results are outstanding compared to the literature, where most research obtains lower ε b values with the incorporation of nanoparticles, attributing this behavior to the early fissure due to the NP agglomerates. [ 31,60,61 ] The great synergistic effect of the layers was observed in the bilayer material that presented the highest values of ε b and tensile toughness.…”

“…This concentration is also recognized as safe (GRAS) by FAO and the World Health Organization. [29][30][31] To the best of our knowledge, the effect of using two layers based on starch films with different types of functionalities that may confer activity and better physicochemical properties on a bilayer material has not been studied. Hernández-García et al (2022) investigated a biodegradable bilayer film from a starch layer with polyphenols-gellan gum and a polyesters blend layer with commercial ferulic acid, p-coumaric, or protocatechuic acid.…”

“…This concentration is also recognized as safe (GRAS) by FAO and the World Health Organization. [ 29–31 ]…”

Properties of Starch‐Based Nanocomposites with Starch‐Coated ZnONP Obtained by Flat‐Die Extrusion

“…This behavior has been observed in starch nanocomposites with 1 wt.% of TiO 2 NP by Iacovone et al (2022) but it is not very common in the literature. [71][72][73] The authors suggested that this fact could be related to the effect of hydrolytic degradation, since the nanoparticles may accelerate some hydrolytic reactions. Water and microorganisms could damage the interface between the starch matrix and nanoparticles, increasing the possibility of hydrolysis.…”

Development and evaluation of biodegradable starch-based films containing cellulose nanocrystals/titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an alternative for food packaging

“…The antimicrobial activities of the films showed that there were inhibitory zones around the circular film disk, which can be attributed to the addition of TiO 2 nanoparticles. Iacovone et al 32 studied the effect of adding titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2) on morphology, physicochemical properties, and biodegradation under industrial composting in cassava starch-based films obtained by extrusion at different screw speeds (80 and 120 r/min). The films produced at 120 r/min showed fully processed starch and homogeneously distributed nanoparticles, leading to greater flexibility than those obtained at 80 r/min.…”