The aim of the research is to develop biodegradable plastic from bio-based raw materials for the replacement of petroleum based non-biodegradable synthetic plastic. Amino functional group was incorporated into starch through chemical modification. Further synthesized starch was reacted with crosslinking agents and hydrophobic agents to obtain a water-insoluble, strongly hydrophobic, and transparent bioplastic film. Our lab results indicate that the as-synthesized starch-based bioplastic film displays high toughness similar to non-crystalline polypropylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a flexibility and moldability that are suitable for further processing into different shapes and structures. In addition, it shows high gloss and strong hydrophobicity like polyethylene (PE). Therefore, this material can be potentially used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic for many commercial plastic products that are not biodegradable. The dynamic contact angle and water holding capacity of bioplastic coated paper was showed significantly higher than commercial plastic-coated paper. This result indicated that the synthesized bioplastic can also be used for barrier coating on paper for food packaging, which is currently using non-biodegradable petroleum-based materials for coating.

Synthesized starch-based biodegradable bioplastic for plastic products and food packaging applications

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