Abstract
The development of bio-based materials has been a consequence of the environmental awareness generated over time. The versatility of native starch is a promising starting point for manufacturing environmentally friendly materials. This work aims to compile information on the advancements in research on thermoplastic starch (TPS) nanocomposites after the addition of mainly these four nanofillers: natural montmorillonite (MMT), organically modified montmorillonite (O-MMT), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), and cellulose nanofibers (CNF). The analyzed properties of nanocomposites were mechanical, barrier, optical, and degradability. The most important results were that as the nanofiller increases, the TPS modulus and strength increase; however, the elongation decreases. Furthermore, the barrier properties indicate that that the incorporation of nanofillers confers superior hydrophobicity. However, the optical properties (transparency and luminosity) are mostly reduced, and the color variation is more evident with the addition of these fillers. The biodegradability rate increases with these nanocompounds, as demonstrated by the study of the method of burial in the soil. The results of this compilation show that the compatibility, proper dispersion, and distribution of nanofiller through the TPS matrix are critical factors in overcoming the limitations of starch when extending the applications of these biomaterials. TPS nanocomposites are materials with great potential for improvement. Exploring new sources of starch and natural nano-reinforcement could lead to a genuinely eco-friendly material that can replace traditional polymers in applications such as packaging.
Highlights
Plastic production has been increasing over time (Figure 1a) [1]
To improve the performance of thermoplastic starch (TPS), a transformation of this material into nanocomposites is a well-known alternative. These significant drawbacks lead to finding the best options for co-components and nanofillers for the TPS matrix [12]. These nanocomposites are currently applied in different fields because of their properties such as tissue engineering [54], drug delivery systems [54], and packaging [47,111]
It seems impossible to think of life without plastic, but it is one of the major pollutants in many aspects of daily life and industries
Summary
Katherine E. Rivadeneira-Velasco , Christian A. Utreras-Silva, Antonio Díaz-Barrios, Alicia E. Sommer-Márquez Citation: Rivadeneira-Velasco, K.E.; Utreras-Silva, C.A.; Díaz-Barrios, A.; Sommer-Márquez, A.E.; Tafur, J.P.; Michell, R.M. Green Nanocomposites Based on Thermoplastic Starch: A Review.
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