Applications of starch in producing biodegradable polymer a review

• Main Authors: Lai, Jau Choy, Ling, Kah Ngiek, Wan Abdul Rahman, Wan Aizan
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2015
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/61756/; http://apps.polikk.edu.my/upi/?page_id=1570
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Starch based biodegradable polymer has become a popular material among researchers in the recent decades, thanks to the increased awareness on the environmental issues. In this review, development of the utilization of starch for producing biodegradable polymer is discussed chronologically from the addition of granular starch into non-biodegradable polymers for improving the degradability of the latter, to the introduction of thermoplastic starch (TPS) which behaves similarly as other conventional thermoplastics. The differences between TPS and gelatinized starch in terms of structure, processing method and properties are also explained in details. Lastly, utilization of TPS in producing natural fiber reinforced composites and polymer blends is also discussed.