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Enhancement of water barrier properties of cassava starch-based biodegradable films using silica particles

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Abstract

Biodegradable films are used in a variety of applications, including packaging. However, their use is limited due to their high moisture and water sensitivity. In this work, cassava starch (CS) was blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). Silica particles (SiO2) were incorporated to increase the hydrophobicity of the blend by intermolecular interaction through hydrogen bonding between the three components. Instead of a plasticizer or crosslinker, a small amount of triethylamine was added to eliminate residual acetate groups in PVA. The miscibility of CS and PVA phases was confirmed by smooth fracture surfaces and a single glass transition temperature. When SiO2 content was below 5% (wt), the particles were well dispersed in a continuous phase of polymer matrix. At this loading of SiO2, the increase in tensile strength was as high as 170% and in elongation-at-break, 250%. All loadings of SiO2 increased thermal stability of the blend films because silanol groups on the surface of SiO2 particles formed effective interfacial interactions with hydroxyl groups of the polymers. These interactions also prevented the ingress of water molecules, significantly increasing the hydrophobicity of the films. The water contact angle increased as high as 113° and moisture absorbency and water solubility were low. These highly hydrophobic, photodegradable, biodegradable CS/PVA/SiO2 films show great potential as a low-cost, eco-friendly material.

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Acknowledgement

This work was financially supported by the Coordinating Center for Thai Government Science and Technology Scholarship Students (CSTS), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand (grant number SCH-NR2016-183). J.A. is grateful for a research assistant fellowship from the Faculty of Science Research Fund, Prince of Songkla University, Thailand (contract number 1-2561-02-013). The funding sources had no involvement in the discussion in this report.We would also like to thank Asst. Prof. Dr. Chiraphon Chaibundit for useful discussion and Mr. Thomas Duncan Coyne for assistance with the English text.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand

    Jiranun Arayaphan, Phetdaphat Boonsuk & Sirinya Chantarak

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  1. Jiranun Arayaphan
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  2. Phetdaphat Boonsuk
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  3. Sirinya Chantarak
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Correspondence to Sirinya Chantarak.

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Arayaphan, J., Boonsuk, P. & Chantarak, S. Enhancement of water barrier properties of cassava starch-based biodegradable films using silica particles. Iran Polym J 29, 749–757 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-020-00837-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-020-00837-1

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