Abstract
Regarding the growing interest in the development of biodegradable films from renewable sources, this work is focused on the utilization of cassava roots bagasse as a natural filler of cassava starch films. Homogenous films could be obtained by casting molding from gelatinized cassava starch suspensions, plasticized with glycerol and containing 1.5% w/w bagasse. In order to study the particle size effect on films properties, three different fibrous residue fractions (particles sized between 500–250, 250–53, and particles <53 μm) were used and compared to films reinforced with bagasse particles sized under 500 μm. Chemical composition and particle size distribution of cassava bagasse helped to explain the starch films morphology and mechanical and barrier properties modifications. SEM micrographs evidenced that the filler was structurally incorporated in the matrix, reinforcing cassava–starch matrices regardless of bagasse particle size. The filler increased the UV-barrier capacity and opacity of the mater...
Highlights
Biocomposites are obtained by the combination of a biodegradable polymer as the matrix material and natural fillers
Cassava bagasse was fractionated according to its particle size, and each fraction presented different compositions as was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (Figure 1)
In the L fraction, remains of the parenchyma plant tissue with occluded starch granules prevail (Figure 1c), whereas the intermediate fraction (M) presented a composition similar to that of L differing clearly in the filler particle size, though a greater proportion of residual starch occluded between the cell tissue remains was observed (Figure 1b)
Summary
Biocomposites are obtained by the combination of a biodegradable polymer as the matrix material and natural fillers (e.g., lignocellulosic fillers). Partially addressed by adequate physical and chemical modifications, though such methods increase production costs.[6] the aforementioned issues, alongside with the fibers tendency to form aggregates during processing, derive in difficulties in adapting their incorporation to conventional manufacturing processes These can be effectively solved by appropriate material selection, including raw material properties, size, and shape.[11] to optimize the characteristics of the composite materials obtained, it is necessary to consider the size of the filler used. As has been demonstrated by other authors, besides filler nature and size, the reinforcing agent content has an important impact on biobased composites mean properties.[1,14] In a previous work, cassava starch-reinforced films were developed by the casting technique, and its formulation was optimized.[15] The filler agent used was the bagasse remaining from the cassava starch extraction process dried, crushed, and sieved through a 500 μm sieve.
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