title: Biodegradable polymer blends based on corn starch and thermoplastic chitosan processed by extrusion.
abstract: Blends of thermoplastic cornstarch (TPS) and chitosan (TPC) were obtained by melt extrusion. The effect of TPC incorporation in TPS matrix and polymer interaction on morphology and thermal and mechanical properties were investigated. Possible interactions between the starch molecules and thermoplastic chitosan were assessed by XRD and FTIR techniques. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses showed a homogeneous fracture surface without the presence of starch granules or chitosan aggregates. Although the incorporation of thermoplastic chitosan caused a decrease in both tensile strength and stiffness, films with better extensibility and thermal stability were produced.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenheira de Biomateriais, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mendes
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Paschoalin
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alfredo R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Sena Neto
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ciências dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: A C P
authors.initials: ACP
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Marconcini
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Nanotecnologia Nacional de Agricultura (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, São Carlos 13.560-970, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: L H C
authors.initials: LHC
authors.lastname: Mattoso
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Materiais e Biossistemas (LAMAB), Departamento de Engenharia de Materiais, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa 58.100-100, PB, Brazil.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Medeiros
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras 37.200-000, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: julianoufmg@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D048271:Chitosan / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D013213:Starch / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics; D013213:Starch; D048271:Chitosan
keywords: Biodegradable polymers; Extrusion; Thermoplastic chitosan; Thermoplastic starch