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Green Microcomposites from Renewable Resources: Effect of Seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) as Filler on Corn Starch–Chitosan Film Properties

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Abstract

Natural seaweed microparticles obtained from Undaria pinnatifida waste (A) were used as fillers in thermoplastic starch (TPS)–chitosan (CH) blend in order to obtain microcomposites films for application in sustainable agriculture. The adequate proportion of both polymers was optimized with regards their mechanical, barrier, water interaction and morphological properties. Then, the effect of different content of seaweed on microcomposites properties was investigated. The seaweed used showed good interaction with the TPS–CH matrix. Its addition produced an increase in the tensile strength and a slight increase in the elongation at break. Contents of 10% of A lead to a more heterogeneous structure with the formation of aggregates. Low contents of A reduced the mobility of the polymer chains resulting in a lower moisture content and higher Tg, although the WVP increased with the content of A. The improvements achieved with microcomposites were finally discussed under the light of new agricultural mulch films regulations.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the National Research Council (CONICET), National Agency for Scientific and Technical Promotion (ANPCyT) and the National University of Mar del Plata (UNMdP) for the financial support and to the Dr. Diego Navarro, for the determination of starch molecular weight.

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  1. Danila Merino

    Present address: Smart Materials Group, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Via Morego 30, 16163, Genoa, Italy

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  1. Grupo de Materiales Compuestos Termoplásticos (CoMP), Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP) y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Av. Colón 10850, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    Danila Merino & Vera A. Alvarez

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Merino, D., Alvarez, V.A. Green Microcomposites from Renewable Resources: Effect of Seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) as Filler on Corn Starch–Chitosan Film Properties. J Polym Environ 28, 500–516 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-019-01622-9

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