title: Biodegradation of thermoplastic starch/eggshell powder composites.
abstract: Thermoplastic starch (TPS) was prepared using compression molding and chicken eggshell was used as a filler. The effect of the eggshell powder (EP) on the properties of TPS was compared with the effect of commercial calcium carbonate (CC). The organic compound on the surface of the eggshell powder acted as a coupling agent that resulted in a strong adhesion between the eggshell powder and the TPS matrix, as confirmed by SEM micrographs. The biodegradation was determined by the soil burial test. The TPS/EP composites were more rapidly degraded than the TPS/CC composites. In addition, the eggshell powder improved the water resistance and thermal stability of the TPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.
authors.forename: Munlika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bootklad
authors.forename: Kaewta
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kaewtatip
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D002645:Chickens; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010969:Plastics / Q000737:chemistry*; D011208:Powders; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011208:Powders; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water; D013213:Starch; D002119:Calcium Carbonate
keywords: Biodegradation; Calcium carbonate; Eggshell; Starch