This work investigates the effect of filler type on the rate of biodegradation of thermoplastic starch-based films in water and soil environments. The authors applied the casting method to create films of thermoplastic starch, based on waste paper, filled with clays or organic fillers. Since such materials made from cellulose tend to absorb water, we hydrophobized the surfaces of the filled thermoplastic starch samples. The structures of the blends were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, while atomic-force microscopy was applied to observe change in surface topography and the distribution of the filler. We also studied moisture resistance of the blends. Biodegradation tests revealed that surface topography, distribution of the filler and starch-to-filler interactions were non-critical to the rate and degree of biodegradation of the blends. The biodegradation rate of the blends was strongly affected by the environmental conditions (relative humidity 54%, 100%, respectively; temperature 25 °C, 37 °C, respectively). Under anaerobic conditions, it was the mixtures that biodegraded to the greatest extent, whereas the hydrophobized mixtures did so the least.

这项工作研究填料类型对水和土壤环境中热塑性淀粉基薄膜生物降解速率的影响。作者采用流延方法，基于废纸，填充了粘土或有机填料，制成了热塑性淀粉薄膜。由于这种由纤维素制成的材料易于吸收水，因此我们对填充的热塑性淀粉样品的表面进行了疏水化处理。共混物的结构通过红外光谱表征，而原子力显微镜则用于观察表面形貌的变化和填料的分布。我们还研究了共混物的耐湿性。生物降解测试表明，表面形态，填料分布以及淀粉与填料之间的相互作用对于混合物的生物降解速率和程度均不重要。共混物的生物降解率受环境条件（相对湿度分别为54％，100％；温度分别为25°C，37°C）的强烈影响。在厌氧条件下，混合物最大程度地被生物降解，而疏水混合物的降解最小。