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. 2022 Jun 1;7(23):19579-19590.
doi: 10.1021/acsomega.2c01292. eCollection 2022 Jun 14.

Preparation and Characterization of Dual-Modified Cassava Starch-Based Biodegradable Foams for Sustainable Packaging Applications

Sumedha M Amaraweera  1 , Chamila Gunathilake  2   3 , Oneesha H P Gunawardene  2 , Rohan S Dassanayake  4 , Nimasha M L Fernando  1 , Drashana B Wanninayaka  2 , Suranga M Rajapaksha  5 , Asanga Manamperi  6 , Mahinda Gangoda  7 , Amanpreet Manchanda  8 , Chakrawarthige A N Fernando  3 , Asela K Kulatunga  1 , Aruna Manipura  2
Affiliations

Preparation and Characterization of Dual-Modified Cassava Starch-Based Biodegradable Foams for Sustainable Packaging Applications

Sumedha M Amaraweera et al. ACS Omega. .

Abstract

Starch and its derivatives have recently emerged as a sustainable and renewable alternative for petroleum-based expanded polystyrene (EPS) and expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam materials. In this study, biodegradable foam materials were prepared from cassava starch using a novel dual modification technique, combining microwave treatment and freeze-drying. The foam materials were prepared from starch solutions microwaved over different intervals. The starch-based foam materials were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) spectroscopy, and compression set test. Moreover, the water absorption capacities and density values of the foam materials were measured according to ASTM standards. The biodegradability test was carried out according to the aerobic compost environment test. The lowest water absorption capacities of 65.56% and 70.83% were exhibited for the cassava starch foam sample (MWB) prepared at a 20 s microwave treatment time and immersed in distilled water for 2 and 24 h, respectively. Furthermore, the lightweight cassava starch-based foam materials displayed density ranging from 124 to 245 kg/m3. The biodegradation test exhibited significant biodegradation of over 50% after 15 days for all the foam materials prepared. These results suggest that the dual-modified cassava starch-based biodegradable foams show potential in sustainable packaging applications by replacing petroleum-based materials.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing financial interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photograph of the freeze-dried cassava starch foam material, MWB (microwaved for 20 s).
Scheme 1
Scheme 1. Schematic Representation of the Foam Formation Mechanism of Starch
Figure 2
Figure 2
SEM images of the native cassava starch granules at different microwave irradiation times: (a) native cassava starch (NCS) (×1000 magnification), (b) microwaved cassava starch (MWA) at 10 s (×1000 magnification), (c) microwaved cassava starch (MWB) at 20 s (×2500 magnification), (d) microwaved cassava starch (MWC) at 30 s (×2500 magnification), and (e) microwaved cassava starch (MWD) at 40 s (×2500 magnification).
Figure 3
Figure 3
XRD diffractograms of native cassava starch (NCS) and cassava starch foam materials (MWA, MWB, MWC, and MWD) prepared at different microwave irradiation times (10, 20, 30, and 40 s).
Figure 4
Figure 4
TG and DTG profiles of native cassava starch and microwaved cassava starch samples prepared at four different irradiation times: (a) native cassava starch (NCS), (b) microwaved cassava starch (MWA) at 10 s, (c) microwaved cassava starch (MWB) at 20 s, (d) microwaved cassava starch (MWC) at 30 s, and (e) microwaved cassava starch (MWD) at 40 s.
Figure 5
Figure 5
13C CP/MAS NMR spectra of NCS and microwaved cassava starch (MWA, MWB, MWC, and MWD) samples.
Figure 6
Figure 6
FTIR spectra of the NCS and cassava starch foam materials (MWA, MWB, MWC, and MWD) at different microwaved time periods (10, 20, 30, and 40 s).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Percentage of water absorption of the foam materials with respect to microwaved treatment time (WA experiment conducted in samples immersed in distilled water for 2 and 24 h).
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