Preparation and properties of thermoplastic starch/clay nanocomposites

Abstract

Thermoplastic starch nanocomposites reinforced by modified-montmorillonite were prepared using the
low shear process. Montmorillonite was first modified by sorbitol, increasing distance between layers. The
mixture of formamide/sorbitol was used as a plasticizer for thermoplastic starch. The intercalation structure
was observed by XRD and TEM. The thermal stability and flexural strength and tensile strength of thermo-
plastic starch was improved when the modified-montmorillonite was added.