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Preparation and Properties of Thermoplastic Starch/Bentonite Nanocomposites

Thermoplastic starch (TPS)/bentonite nanocomposites containing up to 7.5 wt.% bentonite were prepared. Maize starch was plasticized with glycerol and water, in presence or absence of bentonite, in a twin-screw extruder. Mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of the TPS/bentonite nanocomposites were determined and discussed. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed a good dispersion of bentonite particles with some remaining agglomerates in the range of 0.1 to 1.5 μm. According to the tensile test results the tensile strength and Young’s modulus increased significantly with increasing bentonite content, however, at cost of elongation. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the presence of bentonite exerted little to no effect on the thermal stability of TPS.