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Updated: Aug 4, 2025

Molecular Entanglement and Electrospinnability of Biopolymers
Published on: September 3, 2014
Intermolecular interactions between starch and polyvinyl alcohol for improving mechanical properties of starch-based
Xinyang Wei1, Haiteng Tao1, Congping Tan1
1State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, School of Food Sciences and Engineering, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, China.
Abstract:
Starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) degradable straws with different PVA contents were prepared by the twin-screw extrusion method. The results showed that the starch/PVA straws with 40 % PVA (PS4) had the highest dispersion uniformity of starch and PVA to achieve the best compatibility, and the compatibility size was below the micron level. Molecular interactions between starch and 40 % polyvinyl alcohol reached the highest due to the highest strength of hydrogen bonds, hence resulting in the highest texture densities. Consequently, the largest compatibility and molecular interactions significantly improved the mechanical properties and water resistance of PS4. Compared to the starch/PVA straw with 0 % PVA (PS0), swelling volume of PS4 decreased by 45.5 % (4 °C) and 65.2 % (70 °C), respectively. After soaking, the diameter strength increased by 540.1 % (4 °C, 1 h) and 638.7 % (70 °C, 15 min), respectively. Water absorption decreased by 45.3 % (4 °C, 30 min) and 27.6 % (70 °C, 30 min).
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