Effect of different type of clay on water barrier properties of Starch Composite

Abstract

In the present report, effect of different type of clay on water barrier properties of starch composite has been investigated. The starch was from cassava, and the clays of 23 % (w/w) were cloisite Na, cloisite 15A, nanofil 116 and PGV. Clay and starch composites were prepared by using solution casting by mixture at 80 °C, stirred for 60 minutes, then put in the oven for 12 hours at 40 °C. The films were characterized by payne cup analysisis (water vapour transmission rate - WVTR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR). The WVTR values showed that the best water barrier properties improvement of the composites when Cloisite-Na was added to starch. The XRD showed that intercalated nanocomposites were formed in the Cloisite-Na/starch, while microcomposites were formed when Cloisite 15A, PGV, and Nanofill clay were added to starch. Strong interaction between starch and Cloisite was also shown by FTIR.