Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch Biocomposite Films with Hybrid Fillers

Abstract

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was studied extensively to replace conventional plastic in packaging application. In this study, granule corn starch was first plasticized with water and glycerol to form TPS films and two different fillers were incorporated with TPS to form hybrid biocomposite films (TPSB). Two different fillers: Microcrystalline cellulose (MC) and Nano bentonite (NB) fixed at 1: 4 ratios in various loading (1wt%-6wt%) were incorporated in TPS to study effect of hybrid fillers on the mechanical properties of TPSB films. The effect of different loading of MC/NB on TPSB films was investigated through the structural, morphological and mechanical testing. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) shows TPS matrix and hybrid fillers are highly compatible due to hydroxyl bonding and verified through the shifting of spectra band. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) showed even distribution of fillers in the matrix of TPS. The TPSB films exhibited significant improvement 40% in elongation at break compared to pure TPS films. In this study, 5wt% is best loading of the hybrid fillers to incorporated in TPSB films as it achieved the highest value of tensile strength (8.52MPa), Young’s Modulus (42.0 MPa) and elongation at break (116.3%). Generally, previous studies showed flexibility of TPS composite films reduced with incorporating filler, however in this study, the flexibility TPSB show significant improvement compared to previous studies and exhibit promising potential in dry food packaging application.

Use of Raw Peach Gum as a Sustainable Additive for the Development of Water-Sensitive and Biodegradable Thermoplastic Starch Films

“…However, the monosaccharides in peach gum are not enough to affect the mechanical behavior of the TPS matrix. However, when PG is further increased to 15 phr, the miscibility limit of PG in TPS is exceeded, and PG acts as a filler whose agglomeration results in a poor stress transfer, reducing the mechanical parameter of the TPS–15PG formulation [ 37 ].…”

Ultrastrong, Hydrostable, and Degradable Straws Derived from Microplastic-Free Thermoset Films for Sustainable Development

“…Other biocompatible and biodegradable polymers, such as poly­(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), may act as alternatives for starch but are limited by their functionality. Although starch and PVA straws or products may be readily assimilated at the end of their life cycles, their low mechanical properties, hydrophilicity, and low durability while in service have been limited. − Polymer fillers or reinforcements such as cellulose and lignin have been used to overcome limitations in the strength of various materials. Lignin, a nontoxic polymer, possesses an aromatic ring that favors the engineering of advanced thermosets with desirable mechanical, chemical, and thermal properties.…”