The Role of Structure and Interactions in Thermoplastic Starch-Nanocellulose Composites. 2021

Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
Laboratory of Plastics and Rubber Technology, Department of Physical Chemistry and Materials Science, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Műegyetem rkp. 3, H-1111 Budapest, Hungary.

Composite films were fabricated by using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as reinforcement up to 50 wt% in thermoplastic starch (TPS). Structure and interactions were modified by using different types (glycerol and sorbitol) and different amounts (30 and 40%) of plasticizers. The structure of the composites was characterized by visible spectroscopy, Haze index measurements, and scanning electron microscopy. Tensile properties were determined by tensile testing, and the effect of CNC content on vapor permeability was investigated. Although all composite films are transparent and can hardly be distinguished by human eyes, the addition of CNCs somewhat decreases the transmittance of the films. This can be related to the increased light scattering of the films, which is caused by the aggregation of nanocrystals, leading to the formation of micron-sized particles. Nevertheless, strength is enhanced by CNCs, mostly in the composite series prepared with 30% sorbitol. Additionally, the relatively high water vapor permeability of TPS is considerably decreased by the incorporation of at least 20 wt% CNCs. Reinforcement is determined mostly by the competitive interactions among starch, nanocellulose, and plasticizer molecules. The aging of the films is caused by the additional water uptake from the atmosphere and the retrogradation of starch.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries

Related Publications

Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
February 2014, Carbohydrate polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
September 2013, Carbohydrate polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
April 2018, Materials (Basel, Switzerland),
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
May 2019, Carbohydrate polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
July 2020, Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
June 2012, Carbohydrate polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
April 2021, Polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
February 2014, Carbohydrate polymers,
Emília Csiszár, and Dávid Kun, and Erika Fekete
January 1991, Advances in experimental medicine and biology,
Copied contents to your clipboard!