Abstract
The knowledge gained from starch-nanocomposite-film research has not been fully applied commercially because of the lack of appropriate industrial processing techniques for nanofillers and starch films. Three organically modified montmorillonites (OMMTs) were prepared using a semidry kneading method. The effects of the OMMTs on the structures and properties of starch nanocomposite films, prepared by extrusion blowing, were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis results revealed that the OMMTs with various quaternary ammonium salts possessed differing layer structures and d-space values. The results of the XRD and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that the starch–OMMT interaction resulted in a structural change, namely the starch–OMMT films possessed a balanced exfoliated and intercalated nanostructure, while the starch–MMT film possessed an exfoliated nanostructure with non-intercalated montmorillonite (MMT). The results of the solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis suggested that the starch-OMMT nanocomposite possessed comparatively large quantities of single-helix structures and micro-ordered amorphous regions. The starch–OMMT films exhibited good tensile strength (TS) (maximum of 6.09 MPa) and water barrier properties (minimum of 3.48 × 10−10 g·m·m−2·s−1·Pa−1). This study indicates that the addition of OMMTs is a promising strategy to improve the properties of starch films.
Highlights
Traditional plastic packaging materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, which are derived from petroleum sources, are not biodegradable and cause serious ecological problems [1]
The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of MMT-Na++and organically modified montmorillonites (OMMTs) modified by the various quaternary ammonium
In the case of the OMMTs modified with quaternary ammonium salts, characteristic peaks shift to lower angles
Summary
Traditional plastic packaging materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyvinyl chloride, which are derived from petroleum sources, are not biodegradable and cause serious ecological problems [1]. To prevent pollution due to nondegradable plastics and improve environmental sustainability [2], many biodegradable polyesters [3] and natural macromolecules [4] have been used as substitutes for petrochemical materials in the preparation of biodegradable plastics. Starch is considered one of the most promising biodegradable substitutes for petrochemical plastics because of its abundance, low cost, renewability, and harmless degradation [5]. Poor mechanical properties and high water sensitivity of starch films have limited their industrial application [6]. Many studies have been conducted to improve the performance of starch-based materials with various plasticizers.
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