Starch nanocomposites

Fig. 15. TGA curve of pure waxy starch and Ag-waxy starch nanocomposites with different concentrations of silver ion precursor (moles of AgN03)...

Electrical conductivity measurements revealed that ionic conductivity of Ag-starch nanocomposites increased as a function of temperature (Fig.l7) which is an indication of a thermally activated conduction mechanism [40]. This behavior is attributed to increase of charge carrier (Ag+ ions) energy with rise in temperature. It is also foimd to increase with increasing concentration of Ag ion precursor (inset of Fig.l7). This potentiality can lead to development of novel biosensors for biotechnological applications such as DNA detection. 

Fig. 17. Variation of conductivity of Ag-starch nanocomposites with temperature. Inset shows variation with concentration of silver nanoparticles.

Vigneshwaran, N., Kumar, S., Kathe, A. A., Varadarajan, P. V, Prasad, V. (2006). Functional finishing of cotton fabricsusing zinc oxide-soluble starch nanocomposites. Nanotechnology, 17, 5087-5095. 

Grande, C.J., Torres, F.G., Gomez, C.M., Troncoso, O.P., Canet-Ferrer, J., Martinez-Pastor, J. Morphological characterisation of bacterial cellulose-starch nanocomposites. Polym. Polym. Compos. 16, 181-185 (2008)... 

Grande CJ, Torres FG, Gomez CM, Troncoso OP, Canet-Ferrer J, Martinez-Pastor J (2009) Development of self-assembled bacterial cellulose-starch nanocomposites. Mater Sci Eng C Biomim Supramol Syst 29 1098-1104... 

Gousse C, Chanzy H, Excoffier G et al (2002) Stable suspensions of partially silylated cellulose whiskers dispersed in organic solvents. Polymer 43 2645-2651 Grande CJ, Torres EG, Gomez CM et al (2008) Morphological characterisation of bacterial cellulose-starch nanocomposites. Polym Polym Compos 16 181-185 Grunnert M, Winter WT (2000) Progress in the development of cellulose reinforced nanocomposites. Polym Mater Sci Eng 82 232-238... 

S.K. Nayak, Biodegradable PBAT/starch nanocomposites. Polymer - Plastics Technology and Engineering 49 (14) (2010) 1406-1418. 

H. Schmitt, N. Creton, K. Prashantha, J. Soulestin, M.R Lacrampe, and P. Krawczak, Melt-blended halloysite nanotubes/wheat starch nanocomposites as drug delivery system, Polym. Eng. Sci., 55, 573-580,2015. 

S.B. Subramanian, A.P Francis, and T. Devasena, Chitosan-starch nanocomposite particles as a drug carrier for the delivery of bis-desmethoxy curcumin analog, Carbohydr. Polym., 114,170-178,2014. 

Abstract Biodegradable thermoplastic materials offer great potential to be used in food packaging or biomedical industry. In this chapter we will present a review of the research done on starch and starch nanocomposites. In the case of nanocomposites based on starch, special attention will be given to the influence of starch nanoparticles, cellulose whiskers, zinc oxide nanorods, antioxidants, and antimicrobial inclusion on the physicochemical properties of the materials. The discussion will be focused on structural, mechanical, and barrel properties as well as on degradation, antibacterial and antioxidant activities. Finally, we will discuss our perspectives on how future research should be oriented to contribute in the substitution of synthetic materials with new econanocomposites. 

Keywords Starch Nanocomposites Starch nanoparticles Cellulose Layered silicate Antioxidant nanofillers Antimicrobial nanofillers... 

Casting is one of the most common techniques for processing lab scale starch composites. Different types of polysaccharide nanofillers such as cellulose from flax, wood, hemp ramie, cassava bagasse, wheat straws, starch from waxy maize, regular maize, and chitin, chitosan, among others were used to fabricate starch nanocomposites by the solution casting method. 

The glycerol content was fixed at 36 wt% based on the dry starch matrix. Then this mixture was poured into a flask equipped with a stirrer and heated at 100 °C for 30 min to gelatinize starch. The same procedure is used for the fabrication of the Hemp Cannabis sativa) cellulose nanocrystals and potato starch nanocomposite films S/HC-NC (Cao et al. 2008b). 

The problems associated with starch extrusion are increased when starch nanocomposites are processed using hydrophilic fillers. As it was explained before, although these fillers are compatible with starch and glycerol, they tend to clump together obstructing their dispersion in the matrix. 

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