Novel hydrophilic carboxymethyl starch/montmorillonite nanocomposite films

Carbohydr Polym. 2015 Sep 5:128:82-9. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.04.023. Epub 2015 Apr 23.

Abstract

Preparation of novel carboxymethyl starch (CMS)-based biodegradable films with calcium montmorillonite has been described. The biocomposites were obtained by casting method, glycerol and citric acid were used as plasticizer and crosslinking agent, respectively. The effect of calcium montmorillonite (MMT-Ca) on hydrophilicity (moisture absorption, solubility in water as well as contact angle measurements) was evaluated. Moreover, thermomechanical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites were determined. For all the systems tested intercalated structure of MMT-Ca was revealed, however the most efficient clay platelets dispersion was noted for film containing 5 wt.% MMT-Ca. Such biodegradable CMS/MMT-Ca films exhibiting relatively good mechanical properties could find application in controlled delivery systems as well as in agriculture for seed tapes production where hydrophilicity of polymer carrier is strongly advantageous.

Keywords: Acetic acid (PubChem CID: 176); Calcium montmorillonite; Carboxymethyl starch; Citric acid monohydrate (PubChem CID: 22230); Copper sulfate penthahydrate (PubChem CID: 24463); Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt dehydrate (PubChem CID: 6049); Hydrophilic films; Isopropanol (PubChem CID: 3776); Monochloroacetic acid (PubChem CID: 300); Murexide (PubChem CID: 14453351); Nanocomposites; Sodium hydroxide (PubChem CID: 14798).