Structural Changes of Starch/Polyvinyl Alcohol Biocomposite Films Reinforced with Microcrystalline Cellulose Due to Biodegradation in Simulated Aerobic Compost Environment

Starch/Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based biocomposite films reinforced with micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) (10 wt %) particles were prepared by solution casting method, incorporating glycerol as plasticizer. These biocomposite films were subjected to biodegradation at ambient temperature in a simulated aerobic compost pit. The extent of biodegradation of these films was studied in terms of weight loss. The corresponding changes in the structure of the films were observed using scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction study, and differential scanning calorimetry. The melting point of PVA component of the biocomposite film shifted from 204 to 223 degrees C with increase in biodegradation time and a remarkable difference was observed in their melt crystallization behavior. The unreinforced films also showed a similar trend, but the increase in the crystallinity of PVA was more pronounced in MCC reinforced films than that observed in the unreinforced ones. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 2503-2511, 2011