Improving the performance of starch-based biodegradable plastics: Additives to help

company-news | Time:2023-01-17

In order to improve the mechanical properties of starch-based biodegradable plastics and at the same time endow them with functional properties such as high barrier, antibacterial and antioxidative properties to meet the requirements of food packaging materials, a series of additives such as plasticizers, crosslinkers and antibacterial agents are usually added.

glycerin

Glycerol is one of the most common plasticizers in starch-based degradable materials. Its molecular structure is similar to the glucose unit of starch, so it can interact with starch to achieve plasticization of materials. The addition of glycerol can weaken the hydrogen bond force inside the starch, increase the free volume in the starch-based polymer, thereby increasing the fluidity of the starch chain, and macroscopically shows that it improves the elongation at break of the starch-based degradable material , that is, toughness.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)

Polyvinyl alcohol is a chemically synthesized degradable material with good biocompatibility, so it is often blended with starch as an additive to prepare starch-based degradable materials. Polyvinyl alcohol contains hydroxyl groups like starch, so it easily interacts with starch and water through hydrogen bonds. Studies have shown that adding polyvinyl alcohol can improve the mechanical properties of potato starch-based films, and polyvinyl alcohol has good compatibility with potato starch.

citric acid

Citric acid is a cheap, safe and non-toxic cross-linking agent, which widely exists in fruits (staple food with fruit, more balanced nutrition), and is often used in the preparation of starch-based degradable materials. Citric acid can react with the hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides to form intermolecular covalent diester bonds, thereby acting as a cross-linking agent. In addition, citric acid also has a certain antibacterial function.

Chitosan

Chitosan is a deacetylated derivative of chitin, which has good biocompatibility, degradability and antibacterial properties, so it is often used in the preparation of starch-based degradable materials. Chitosan can be used to improve the barrier properties and mechanical properties of starch films, and at the same time endow them with antibacterial function.

Henan Techuang Biotechnology Co., Ltd. is a modern green and environmental protection enterprise integrating R&D, production, sales and technical services, providing services for biodegradable plastic bags and products. For more information, please visit the official website of Baydeebio: www.baydeebio.com

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