Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 25, 2025
Preparation of Light-responsive Membranes by a Combined Surface Grafting and Postmodification Process
Published on: March 21, 2014
Films made from plasma-modified corn starch: Chemical, mechanical and barrier properties
Israel Sifuentes-Nieves1, Pamela C Flores-Silva2, Carlos Gallardo-Vega3
1Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro De Investigación En Ciencia Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada, Cerro Blanco No. 141, Col. Colinas Del Cimatario, C.P. 76090, Santiago De Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico; Centro De Investigación En Química Aplicada, Blvd. Enrique Reyna No. 140, C.P. 25253, Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
Abstract:
In this study, the chemical, mechanical and barrier properties of films made from plasma-modified corn starch (MSF) were evaluated as a function of the amylose content (30, 50 and 70 %). SEM analysis revealed the presence of remnant starch granules (RSG) in all films, which promoted the ordering of helices as suggested by the FTIR results. Moreover, XPS analysis was used to identify the oxidation mechanism in all MSF as the atomic proportion of hydroxyl, carbonyl and carboxyl groups changed. Also, the increase of C-C proportions suggested crosslinking in MSF70. TGA analysis indicated low interaction between starch and the plasticizer as the tensile strength and elongation at break diminished in MSF50 and MSF70 due to the low plasticizing effect of glycerol, the oxidation phenomena and the depolymerization of starch chains. However, the crosslinking of MSF70 showed characteristics of rigid films with good hydrophobic performance.
