Cationized high amylose maize starch films reinforced with borax cross-linked nanocellulose

In this study, a novel strategy for modifying nanocellulose (NC) by borax cross-linking was developed, and the obtained borax modified nanocellulose (BNC) was incorporated into cationized high amylose maize starch (CS) films to evaluate the applicability. Cellulose molecules were successfully cross-linked by boron ester bonds, and the original crystal type and basic chemical structure were not changed. Compared with NC, the relative crystallinity of BNC was slightly increased, and the thermal stability was obviously enhanced. Addition of NC and BNC to CS films significantly improved their tensile strength and water resistance. The dispersion of nanocellulose in CS films was effectively improved by borax cross-linking modification. CS/BNC films showed higher mechanical and water resistance properties compared with CS/NC films. Compared with pure CS film, tensile strength of the composite film with 6 wt% BNC increased about 4.0 times, and its water-vapor permeability decreased about 37%. The novel strategy for preparing BNC by using boron ester bonds will provide a potential approach for the development of starch films with desirable properties.