title: Starch composites reinforced by bamboo cellulosic crystals.
abstract: Using a method of combined HNO(3)-KClO(3) treatment and sulfuric acid hydrolysis, bamboo cellulose crystals (BCCs) were prepared and used to reinforce glycerol plasticized starch. The structure and morphology of BCCs were investigated using X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and solid-state (13)C NMR. Results showed that BCCs were of typical cellulose I structure, and the morphology was dependent on its concentration in the suspension. BCC of 50-100 nm were assembled into leaf nervations at low concentration (i.e. 0.1 wt.% of solids), but congregated into a micro-sized "flower" geometry at high concentration (i.e. 10.0 wt.% of solids). Tensile strength and Young's modulus of the starch/BCC composite films (SBC) were enhanced by the incorporation of the crystals due to reinforcement of BCCs and reduction of water uptake. BCCs at the optimal 8% loading level exhibited a higher reinforcing efficiency for plasticized starch plastic than any other loading level.
authors.affiliation: College of Forestry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dagang
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Tuhua
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Kaifu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qinglin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003460:Crystallization; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005612:Freeze Drying; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008422:Materials Testing; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000737:chemistry; D031787:Sasa / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013718:Tensile Strength; D044366:Transition Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002482:Cellulose; D013213:Starch