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Lookup NU author(s): Professor David XieORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND).
Starch-based films plasticised by an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Emim][OAc]), were prepared by a simple compression moulding process, facilitated by the strong plasticisation effect of [Emim][OAc]. The effects of amylose content of starch (regular vs. high-amylose maize) and relative humidity (RH) during ageing of the samples on a range of structural and material characteristics were investigated. Surprisingly, plasticisation by [Emim][OAc] made the effect of amylose content insignificant, contrary to most previous studies when other plasticisers were used. In other words, [Emim][OAc] changed the underlying mechanism responsible for mechanical properties from the entanglement of starch macromolecules (mainly amylose), which has been reported as a main responsible factor previously. The crystallinity of the plasticised starch samples was low and thus was unlikely to have a major contribution to the material characteristics, although the amylose content impacted on the crystalline structure and the mobility of amorphous parts in the samples to some extent. Therefore, RH conditioning and thus the sample water content was the major factor influencing the mechanical properties, glass transition temperature, and electrical conductivity of the starch films. This suggests the potential application of ionic liquid-plasticised starch materials in areas where the control of properties by environmental RH is desired.
Author(s): Xie F, Flanagan BM, Li M, Truss RW, Halley PJ, Gidley MJ, McNally T, Shamshina JL, Rogers RD
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Carbohydrate Polymers
Year: 2015
Volume: 122
Pages: 160-168
Print publication date: 20/05/2015
Online publication date: 13/01/2015
Acceptance date: 29/12/2014
Date deposited: 10/10/2023
ISSN (print): 0144-8617
ISSN (electronic): 1879-1344
Publisher: Elsevier
URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.12.072
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.12.072
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