Poly(vinyl alcohol)/modified cassava starch blends plasticized with glycerol and sorbitol

A series of blend films comprised 88% hydrolyzed poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with native cassava starch (NCS), high-oxidized (HCS), and pre-gelatinized (PCS) was prepared via solution casting. The blends were plasticized glycerol or glycerol-sorbitol mixture. structure each film characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy X-ray diffraction analysis. Cross-sections the PVA/HCS PVA/PCS films, imaged scanning electron microscopy, indicated a PVA-rich/starch-rich bilayer structure, irrespective type plasticizer in blend. High degree swelling resulted to fast degradation. All completely degraded soil after 4 days. Significantly, we identified number showed greater strength elongation at break than low density polyethylene, suggesting that these environmentally benign could be ideal candidates for widespread applications currently dominated petroleum-derived products.