Properties of Cast Films Made of Chayote (Sechium edule Sw.) Tuber Starch Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals

Jorge A. Terrazas-Hernandez, Jose De J. Berrios, Gregory M. Glenn, Syed H. Imam, Delilah Wood, Luis A. Bello-Pérez, Apolonio Vargas-Torres

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this study, cellulose (C) and cellulose nanocrystals (CN) were blended with chayotextle starch to prepare films for the casting method. The films were stored at different temperatures and relative humidity (RH), and were analyzed by mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and biodegradation rate. The results of the mechanical characterization showed the highest values in the films with CN. In general, both type of films (with C and CN) presented an increase in the mechanical properties when the RH and temperature increased. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the films did not show any appreciable change from the effect of RH and temperature during storage. The thermogravimetric test showed that the RH and temperature of the storage did not affect the loss mass rate. The biodegradation of the films with C and CN was higher by temperature than RH, but at the longest storage times (up to 20 days) no change was observed by storage condition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)30-37
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Polymers and the Environment
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2015

Keywords

  • Biodegradation
  • Cast films
  • Cellulose nanocrystals
  • Chayotextle starch
  • Mechanical properties

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