Biodegradable starch-based composites: effect of micro and nanoreinforcements on composite properties

Thermoplastic starch (TPS) matrix was reinforced with various kenaf bast cellulose nanofiber loadings (0–10 wt%). Thin films were prepared by casting and evaporating the mixture of aqueous suspension of nanofibers (NFs), starch, and glycerol which underwent gelatinization process at the same time. Moreover, raw fibers (RFs) reinforced TPS films were prepared with the same contents and conditions. The effects of filler type and loading on different characteristics of prepared materials were studied using transmission and scanning electron microscopies, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and moisture absorption analysis. Obtained results showed a homogeneous dispersion of NFs within the TPS matrix and strong association between the filler and matrix. Moreover, addition of nanoreinforcements decreased the moisture sensitivity of the TPS film significantly. About 20 % decrease in moisture content at equilibrium was observed with addition of 10 wt% NFs while this value was only 5.7 % for the respective RFs reinforced film

Starch thermal transitions comparatively studied by DSC and MTDSC

The gelatinisation process of waxy starch was studied using both differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and modulated temperature DSC (MTDSC) It was revealed that the results from the two techniques, especially the onset gelatinisation temperature, were slightly different, which may be due to the MTDSC principle and the mechanism of starch gelatinisation Thus, it is suggested to avoid using MTDSC alone in the characterisation of starch thermal transitions especially in a quantitative way. However, MTDSC has the advantage in understanding the gelatinisation mechanism since it can separate the capacity change (reversible thermal event) from kinetic components (irreversible event) The stepwise change on reversible heat flow measured by MTDSC during gelatinisation was considered due to the phase transition of highly constrained starch polymer chains in granular packing. On the other hand, the glass transition of gelatinised starch (also thermoplastic starch) could not necessarily be detected by conventional DSC or MTDSC. However, by using a high-speed DSC method, the extremely weak glass transition of the gelatinised starch with low moisture content could be enlarged and detected, which confirms the existence of glass transition of the gelatinised starch with low moisture content This knowledge is helpful in the processing of starch-based foods and polymeric material