Corn-starch/polyvinyl alcohol bio-composite film for food packaging application

Abstract

Bio-composite films of corn-starch/poly (vinyl alcohol) (St/PVA) were prepared by using glycerol as a plasticizer by the solution casting method. The different ratios of St/PVA taken were (30/70,70/30,60/40). The test was designed to study the impact of different ratios of starch and PVA on the properties of the bio-composite film. This study have uncovered that the starch and polyvinyl alcohol weight proportion of 30:70 was best blending composition. Different composites of these compositions were consolidated and combined to test the achievability of the prepared polymer. Agglomeration of starch and PVA matrix resulted into weak intermolecular hydrogen bond and the tensile strength and elongation at break decreased from 37.91 MPa to 22.52 MPa and 333.48 to 223.42 when starch percentage increased from 30% to 70% whereas the water absorption capacity and degradation rate increases by ∼52 % and ∼22%, respectively. Biodegradation study was led by covering the prepared polymer under the soil and micro-organism liable for its debasement was recognized. The outcomes affirmed that synthesised films could be utilized as an excellent material for food packaging.