Abstract
Thermoplastic starch (TPS)/micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) composites were prepared from maize starch with different amount of distilled water, glycerol and cellulose reinforcement. The components were homogenized by kneader and twin roll technique. The produced TPS and TPS-based polymer composites were qualified by static and dynamic mechanical tests and their morphology was analysed by microscopic techniques. The results showed that the amount of water and the order of the production steps control the properties of both the TPS and its MFC reinforced version. With increasing content of MFC the stiffness and strength of the TPS matrix increased, as expected. Microscopic inspection revealed that the TPS has a homogenous structure and the MFC is well dispersed therein when suitable preparation conditions were selected.
Highlights
IntroductionNowadays considerable efforts are undertaken to modify biodegradable polymers (e.g. thermoplastic starch, polylactide acid) by cellulose micro- and nanoparticles to produce fully biodegradable composite materials with promising mechanical and barrier properties [1,2,3,4]
Nowadays considerable efforts are undertaken to modify biodegradable polymers by cellulose micro- and nanoparticles to produce fully biodegradable composite materials with promising mechanical and barrier properties [1,2,3,4]
Thermoplastic starch (TPS) and TPS/micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) systems were produced under different processing conditions
Summary
Nowadays considerable efforts are undertaken to modify biodegradable polymers (e.g. thermoplastic starch, polylactide acid) by cellulose micro- and nanoparticles to produce fully biodegradable composite materials with promising mechanical and barrier properties [1,2,3,4]. Cellulose is the most abundant natural biopolymer on earth. When extracted from natural fibers, the hierarchical organization of cellulose allows us to obtain micro-fibrillated (MFC). MFC is milled and submitted to bleaching to remove lignin and hemicellulose. The bleached fiber is hydrolyzed or disintegrated mechanically or both. Disadvantages of the TPS are their poor mechanical properties and high sensitivity to humidity which limit their industrial applications
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