Robust Starch/Regenerated Cellulose All‐Polysaccharides Bilayer Films with Excellent Mechanical Properties

• Published in: Starch - Stärke Vol. 72; no. 5-6
• Main Authors: Cheng, Geng, Wei, Yu‐Jun, Zhou, Mi, Cheng, Fei, Lin, Yi, Zhu, Pu‐Xin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2020
• Subjects: all‐polysaccharides bilayer films; Bilayers; Calorimetry; Cellulose; cotton linter pulp; Differential scanning calorimetry; Electron micrographs; Fabrication; Industrial applications; Mechanical properties; nanocellulose; Nanocomposites; Nanofibers; Packaging; Polymers; Polysaccharides; Regeneration; Saccharides; Starch; starches; Suction; Tensile strength; Thermal stability; Thermogravimetric analysis; Vacuum filtration; Water absorption
• ISSN: 0038-9056; 1521-379X
• DOI: 10.1002/star.201900153

Starch‐regenerated cellulose bilayer films containing cellulose nanofibers in the casted regenerated cellulose layer are obtained by using a dissolution‐regeneration‐suction filtration approach. Scanning electron micrograph, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction are used to characterize the properties of the composite films. The tensile strength and modulus of the nanocomposite containing 40 wt% regenerated cellulose are increased by 156% and 111%, respectively, compared with pure starch film. Additionally, the obtained films displayed low water absorption, excellent thermal stability, and optical performance. More importantly, the film fabrication process adopted is environmentally benign, cost‐effective, and easy to operate. The all‐polysaccharides bilayer films can be used as a renewable material for industrial applications such as packaging to substitute petroleum‐based polymers in a wide range of applications. Starch/cellulose nanofibers all‐polysaccharides bilayer films with excellent mechanical properties are obtained by using a dissolution‐regeneration‐suction filtration approach. The obtained films exhibit low water absorption, excellent thermal stability, and optical transparency due to their compact structure. This study provides a highly‐efficient route to produce high‐performance starch matrix composites.