Biodegradable polymer blends based on corn starch and thermoplastic chitosan processed by extrusion

Published Date
10 February 2016, Vol.137:452–458, doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.093

Title 

Biodegradable polymer blends based on corn starch and thermoplastic chitosan processed by extrusion

• Author 

• J.F. Mendes ^a
• R.T Paschoalin ^b
• V.B. Carmona ^b
• Alfredo R Sena Neto ^b
• A.C.P. Marques ^c
• J.M. Marconcini ^b
• L.H.C. Mattoso ^b
• E.S. Medeiros ^d
• J.E. Oliveira ^e,,

• aPrograma de Pós-Graduação em Engenheira de Biomateriais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil
• bLaboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil
• cDepartamento de Ciências dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil
• dLaboratório de Materiais e Biossistemas (LAMAB), Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58.100-100, PB, Brazil
• eDepartamento de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil

Received 5 August 2015. Revised 17 October 2015. Accepted 29 October 2015. Available online 2 November 2015.

Highlights

• •
  Blends of thermoplastic cornstarch and chitosan were prepared and characterized.
• •
  It was possible to successfully produce cornstarch–chitosan blends by extrusion with a high dispersion.
• •
  The effect of TPC incorporation in TPS matrix on blend properties was investigated.
• •
  Incorporation of thermoplastic chitosan caused a decrease in both tensile strength and stiffness.
• •
  Biopolymer blends had good thermal stability.

Abstract

Blends of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS) and chitosan (TPC) were obtained by melt extrusion. The effect of TPC incorporation in TPS matrix and polymer interaction on morphology and thermal and mechanical properties were investigated. Possible interactions between the starch molecules and thermoplastic chitosan were assessed by XRD and FTIR techniques. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses showed a homogeneous fracture surface without the presence of starch granules or chitosan aggregates. Although the incorporation of thermoplastic chitosan caused a decrease in both tensile strength and stiffness, films with better extensibility and thermal stability were produced.

Keywords

• Thermoplastic starch
• Thermoplastic chitosan
• Extrusion
• Biodegradable polymers

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• ⁎ 
  Corresponding author. Tel.: +55 353829-4609; fax: +55 353829-1481.

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