Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Enhancing Starch-Based Packaging Materials: Optimization of Plasticizers and Process Parameters

Yue Wu
† ,
Rongji Tang
† ,
Anfu Guo
* ORCID logo ,
Xiaodong Tao
,
Yingbin Hu
ORCID logo ,
Xianliang Sheng
,
Peng Qu
,
Shaoqing Wang
,
Jianfeng Li
,
Fangyi Li
†
These authors contributed to the work equally and should be regarded as co-first authors.
Version 1 : Received: 31 July 2023 / Approved: 1 August 2023 / Online: 1 August 2023 (10:18:48 CEST)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Wu, Y.; Tang, R.; Guo, A.; Tao, X.; Hu, Y.; Sheng, X.; Qu, P.; Wang, S.; Li, J.; Li, F. Enhancing Starch−Based Packaging Materials: Optimization of Plasticizers and Process Parameters. Materials 2023, 16, 5953. Wu, Y.; Tang, R.; Guo, A.; Tao, X.; Hu, Y.; Sheng, X.; Qu, P.; Wang, S.; Li, J.; Li, F. Enhancing Starch−Based Packaging Materials: Optimization of Plasticizers and Process Parameters. Materials 2023, 16, 5953.

Abstract

Due to the non-degradability of petroleum-based packaging materials, serious environmental pollution and the depletion of non-renewable resources have become pressing issues. In order to actively promote green production and address these concerns, there is an urgent need for new packaging materials to replace traditional plastic products. Starch-based packaging materials, composed of starch, fiber, and plasticizers, offer a degradable and environmentally friendly alternative. Starch alone cannot undergo thermoplastic processing due to its inherent structural characteristics. Therefore, researchers have explored modifications by incorporating plasticizers to create processable thermoplastic starch (TPS). However, there are challenges related to the high crystallinity and poor compatibility between TPS and fibers, resulting in decreased mechanical properties. To address these challenges, a novel approach combining plasticizer optimization and response surface method (RSM) optimization has been proposed to enhance the mechanical properties of starch-based packaging materials. This method leverages the advantages of composite plasticizers and process parameters. The findings demonstrate that the composite plasticizer effectively disrupt the hydrogen bonding and granule morphology of starch, leading to a significant reduction in crystallinity. Based on these findings, the optimal process parameters are determined using the RSM, resulting in a forming temperature of 198 °C, forming time of 5.4 minutes, and AC content of 0.84 grams. Compared with the non-optimized values, the tensile strength increases by 12.2% and the rebound rate increases by 8.1%.

Keywords

Plasticizer plasticizing; Thermoplastic starch; Box–Behnken design; Response surface method; Starch-based composite packaging material

Subject

Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Copyright: This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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