Preparation, Structural Evaluation, and Potential Applications of Cornstarch Biodegradable Plastics

The demand for biodegradable plastics has been growing steadily driven by the adverse effects of synthetic plastics. In this context, cornstarch has emerged as a key raw material for producing biodegradable plastics. In this chapter, we address the experimental technique for synthesis of cornstarch bioplastics. We report some experimental results such as structural properties (X-ray diffraction [XRD], scanning electron microscope [SEM], energy dispersive X-ray analysis [EDAX], and Fourier transform infrared [FTIR] studies), biodegradability, and potential applications of the cornstarch bioplastics (CSBPs). Three CSBPs were synthesized through the solution casting method by preparing solution with the eutectic composition of water, cornstarch, vinegar, glycerin at room temperature, followed by gelation at 100 °C. XRD spectra portrayed the short-range periodicity of the CSBP samples due to their predominant amorphous nature containing feeble crystallinity. SEM morphographs showed homogeneous amorphous nature bounded with small heterogeneous crystalline state of the samples. EDAX studies confirmed the presence of fundamental elements of cornstarch, such as Ca, C, O, and other minerals. The FTIR spectra confirmed the plastic nature of the prepared samples by following the distinctive functional groups of regular plastics like hydroxyl groups (O-H) as well as carbonyl groups (-CH, -CH 2 , C=O, C=C, C-O-C, etc.). The CSBP samples exhibited the highest degradability when formulated with equal amounts of vinegar and glycerin within the specific soil.