title: Starch composites with aconitic acid.
abstract: The aim of this project is to examine the effectiveness of using aconitic acid (AcA), a tricarboxylic acid which contains a carbon/carbon double bond (CC), to enhance the properties of starch-based films. Starch/glycerol cast films were prepared with 0, 2, 5, 10 and 15wt% AcA (starch wt% basis) and the properties analysed. It was shown that AcA acted as both a cross-linking agent and also a strong plasticising agent. The 5wt% AcA derived starch films were the most effectively cross-linked having the lowest solubility (28wt%) and decreased swelling coefficient (35vol.%) by approximately 3 times and 2.4 times respectively compared to the control film submerged in water (23°C). There was also a significant increase in the film elongation at break by approximately 35 times (compared to the control) with the addition of 15wt% AcA, emphasising the plasticising effect of AcA. However, generally there was a reduced tensile strength, softening of the film, and reduced thermal stability with increased amounts of AcA.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Gardens Point Campus, Queensland University of Technology, H-Block Building, Brisbane 2000, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: williamgilfillan@yahoo.com.au.
authors.forename: William Neil
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Gilfillan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Gardens Point Campus, Queensland University of Technology, H-Block Building, Brisbane 2000, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: w.doherty@qut.edu.au.
authors.forename: William O S
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Doherty
mesh_terms: D000156:Aconitic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D063566:Biodegradable Plastics / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D012995:Solubility; D013213:Starch / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D063566:Biodegradable Plastics; D013213:Starch; D000156:Aconitic Acid
keywords: Aconitic acid; Aconitic acid (PubChem CID: 444212); Cross-link; Elastomer; Glycerol (PubChem CID: 753); Solubility; Starch; Starch (PubChem CID: 24836924)