Abstract

FARIA, Fernando de Oliveira; VERCELHEZE, Ana Elisa Stefani  and  MALI, Suzana. Physical properties of biodegradable films based on cassava starch, polyvinyl alcohol and montmorillonite. Quím. Nova [online]. 2012, vol.35, n.3, pp. 487-492. ISSN 0100-4042.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422012000300009.

The objective of this work was to manufacture biodegradable films based on cassava starch, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT), using glycerol as a plasticizer. These films were characterized according to their microstructure, optical, mechanical, and barrier properties. The combination of starch-PVA-MMT resulted in films with a more homogeneous surface than starch films. The introduction of PVA into the starch matrix led to the formation of films with lower water vapor permeability (WVP), higher tensile strength and greater elongation. MMT was exfoliated in the films, resulting in greater stability for different relative humidities, lower WVP, higher resistance and lower flexibility.

Keywords : microstructure; mechanical properties; sodium montmorillonite.