Sandwich panel biocomposite of thermoplastic corn starch and bacterial cellulose

Author(s)

Santos, Talita A. ^[1] ; Spinace, Marcia A. S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ ABC, Nat & Human Sci Ctr, Av Estados 5001, BR-09210170 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules; v. 167, p. 358-368, JAN 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Inadequate disposition and long period for degradation of Petroleum-derived polymers promote damages in the environment, which could beminimized by the use of biodegradable polymers such as starch and cellulose. Films of thermoplastic corn starch (TPS) and bacterial cellulose (BC) were used to produce sandwich panel biocomposite. RXD, SEM and FTIR were used to verify the transformation of TPS from native corn starch. TPS/BC is flexible and transparent, but it is less transparent that TPS and BC due to its multilayer format. TPS/BC presented similar thermal events to TPS and BC samples and thermal stability similar to TPS. The FTIR spectrum of the TPS/BC showed bands observed in the BC and TPS spectra. BC, TPS and TPS/BC showed faster water absorption in the initial stage reaching a stability at about 50 h and presenting Fickian behavior. TPS/BC showed lower water absorption and a good adhesion between the phases observed by SEM images, which can be associated to hydrogen interactions in the interface improving mechanical properties. TPS/BC showed an increase of about 3.6 times in the tensile strength compared to TPS, indicating that BC is a good reinforcement for TPS. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 10/17804-7 - Polymeric composites
• Grantee: Maria Isabel Felisberti
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/00156-5 - Coupling agent effect on the environment properties of polymeric composites with lignocellulosic fibers
• Grantee: Márcia Aparecida da Silva Spinacé
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants