Hi.
You can add PCL, PP, PLA, nanometals, or inorganic fillers (without adding toxicity) to increase the heat stability of the starch sample. You can also modify the starch itself through various methods, if in case you want to study the characteristics of the starch bioplastic alone. Utilize literature to determine the concentration of the selected plasticizers and add them accordingly.
Apart from making blends with polymers and inorganics as proposed by Chandrima Mandal you could also consider the use of a different plasticizer. I found 2 different papers (unfortunately without access to the full text for me) describing the use of ethanolamine and ethanolamine-urea as plasticiser claiming that 'thermal properties' (whatever that may mean) are altered or enhanced. See XF Ma et al., Carbohydr. Polym. 64 (2006) 267-273 and MF Huang et al., Polymer Degradation and Stability 90 (2005) 501-507. Both plasticisers see to occur in nature and are biodegradable.
I searched for 'ethanolamine toxicity' and found that you should not swallow it. It is also irritating on skin. On the other hand, one of its outlets is 'personal care' which is difficult to reconcile with skin irritation. Altogether I would not recommend its use in thermoplastic starch when considering applications in food.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Powders