Recent advances and perspectives on starch nanocomposites for packaging applications

Starch nanocomposites are popular and abundant materials in packaging sectors. The aim of this work is to review some of the most popular starch nanocomposite systems that have been used nowadays. Due to a wide range of applicable reinforcements, nanocomposite systems are investigated based on nanofiller type such as nanoclays, polysaccharides and carbonaceous nanofillers. Furthermore, the structures of starch and material preparation methods for their nanocomposites are also mentioned in this review. It is clearly presented that mechanical, thermal and barrier properties of plasticised starch can be improved with well-dispersed nanofillers in starch nanocomposites

PVA, PVA Blends, and Their Nanocomposites for Biodegradable Packaging Application

This review exclusively addresses material systems primarily based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), one of the most popular water-soluble biopolymers, for their use in packaging applications with the primary objective of reducing petrobased plastic waste. In addition, some typical PVA blends and nanocomposites are discussed as comparative studies for material packaging. Structural characteristics, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties, in addition to biodegradation of these multiple material systems are summarized in a systematic manner. Finally, associated fabrication processing methods together with the most popular theoretical models used for the permeability of PVA nanocomposites are also reviewed in detail

Optimization of Fabrication Technique to Prepare Acacia Wood Reinforced Bio-Composites

This chapter discuss the preparation and optimization of wood polymer composites based on the impregnation by polymer and nanoclay. Wood impregnation is one of the basic and most frequently used techniques to enhance the wood properties. This fabrication technique offers a wide range of applications depending on type of impregnants applied. Impregnation could make the wood less flammable, more dimensionally stable, more resistant to decay, harder, stronger, and more stable against UV rays. Softwood (Acacia) was impregnated with acrylonitrile, poly(vinyl) alcohol and organically nanoclay. The specimen preparation was carried out using the vacuum-chamber in a laboratory scale. The physical and mechanical properties of the modified wood were analyzed through Tensile and Flexural tests, SEM, FTIR, TGA and DSC. Mechanical test results shown that Tensile and Flexural strength have improvements with the addition of the nanofillers. The FTIR test shown that the chemical bonding between PVA into the wood cell would certainly enhance the matrix adhesion and contribute to its property enhancement. SEM illustrate the samples surface morphology which confirm the impregnation of the specimen. TGA results shown the additives impregnate into the wood component increase the thermal stability compared to the raw wood. DSC results indicate the impregnate wood has a higher melting temperature compared to the raw wood, due to existing of the polymer and nanoclay interfacial bonding among cell wall of the wood. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the conditions for the preparation of wood composites. The design experiment was carried out using Design Expert 11

Preparation and characterisation of poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/starch (ST)/halloysite nanotube (HNT) nanocomposite films as renewable materials

Poly(vinyl) alcohol (PVA)/starch (ST) films (weight ratio: 80/20) were prepared using a solution casting method, in the presence of 30 wt% glycerol (GL) as a plasticiser. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were used as relatively new clay nanofillers to PVA/ST/GL blends for more economical material packaging. HNTs at filler loadings of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 3 and 5 wt% were incorporated to enhance mechanical and thermal properties of resulting PVA/ST/HNT nanocomposites. The tensile strength of such nanocomposites was found to be improved by 20 and 3.4%, respectively, with the inclusion of 0.25 and 0.5 wt% HNTs as opposed to those of PVA/ST/GL blends. However, a decreasing strength trend was observed beyond the HNT loading of 0.5 wt% due to HNT agglomeration, as evidenced by relevant micrographs via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). However, Young’s modulus was enhanced by 148% with the addition of 1 wt% HNTs when compared with PVA/ST/GL blends. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is indicative of slightly intercalated nanocomposite structures formed at low HNT loadings of 0.25–1 wt%. In general, the incorporation of HNTs improved the thermal stability of PVA/ST/GL blends by increasing melting and decomposition temperatures along with the reduction in weight loss