Effects of Corn Starch and Kappaphycus alvarezii Seaweed Blend Concentration on the Optical, Mechanical, and Water Vapor Barrier Properties of Composite Films

Abstract

Composite films with different Kappaphycus alvarezii seaweed and corn starch concentrations were developed, and the effect of these concentrations on the films’ optical, mechanical, and water vapor barrier properties were investigated. The chemical interactions between the two components in the film were verified by chemical composition and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy investigations. The results showed that the mechanical properties and opacity of the composite films were enhanced with the addition of seaweed. Among the compositions, a composite film with 3% seaweed and 1% starch exhibited the highest tensile strength and elongation at break. The water vapor permeability (WVP) of the composite films linearly increased with the increments of starch and seaweed concentrations. The FTIR analysis also revealed intermolecular interactions between the two components, consistent with the good miscibility of seaweed and starch in the blend. Therefore, different concentrations of the blend of seaweed and starch could be used to tailor a film with certain desired functional properties.