Starch, Chitin and Chitosan Based Composites and Nanocomposites by Merin Sara Thomas & Rekha Rose Koshy & Siji K. Mary & Sabu Thomas & Laly A. Pothan

Author:Merin Sara Thomas & Rekha Rose Koshy & Siji K. Mary & Sabu Thomas & Laly A. Pothan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030031589
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

3.3 Morphological Analysis

3.3.1 Morphological Analysis of Starch Based Composites

Scanning electron microcopy (SEM) was used to evaluate films homogeneity, layer structure, pores and cracks, surface smoothness and thickness. TPS films presented homogeneous and smooth surfaces, without visible pores and cracks.

Morphological study of biodegradable films based on thermoplastic native corn starch containing chitosan and chitin showed that the films had homogeneous and smooth surfaces, without pores and cracks and no glycerol migration. Chitosan and chitin incorporation to TPS matrix induced some structural modifications due to the interactions between starch hydroxyl and chitosan/chitin amino groups (Lopez et al. 2014).

Surface analysis of TPS films reinforced with rice hull fiber showed that the control film, RH-film and RHB-film had rough surfaces, without any fibers of agglomeration. The RHNF-film demonstrated a more homogeneous and smooth surface than the other samples. The nanofibers were well dispersed and covered by the matrix, suggesting that the introduction of cellulose nanofibers into the starch-glycerol films resulted in improved adhesion between the nanofibers and the polymer matrix. The surfaces of the extruded films were examined by SEM (Fig. 3.6) (Nascimento et al. 2016).

Fig. 3.6SEM images of the control film (a), RH-film (b), RHB-film (c) and RHNF-films (d).

Reprinted with permission from Nascimento et al. (2016). Copyright Elsevier

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