Enhancing properties of polyvinyl alcohol film using sorghum starch nanocrystals – A cost effective filler from natural source

S. Vasantha Kumar; V. A. Sajeevkumar; Johnsy George; Sunny Kumar

doi:10.14429/dlsj.2.11380

S. Vasantha Kumar Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru
V. A. Sajeevkumar Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru
Johnsy George Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru
Sunny Kumar Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.2.11380

Keywords: Poly Vinyl Alcohol, Sorghum starch, Nanocrystals, FTIR, Physico - mechanical, Thermal properties

Abstract

Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films with Sorghum Starch Nanocrystals (SSN) were prepared by incorporating various concentrations of SSN in PVA. SSN was isolated using acid hydrolysis of sorghum starch. The morphological studies of SSN using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed that the particle size varied from 65 to 68 nm. The mechanical properties of PVA-SSN nanocomposite films indicated an improvement in tensile strength and percentage elongation at break when compared to that of PVA films. This can be attributed to the stronger interaction of PVA with SSN due to hydrogen bonding. Besides this, PVA-SSN nanocomposite films also exhibited good thermal properties. Thus, the use of SSN (a cost effective filler from natural source) imparted superior properties to the PVA nanocomposite films, which will be beneficial for applications such as food packaging.

Author Biographies

S. Vasantha Kumar, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru

Mr S. Vasantha Kumar is a research scholar working in Food Engineering and Packaging Department at Defence Food Research Laboratory Mysuru. He was involved in isolation of sorghum starch as well as sorghum starch nanocrystals, preparation of all PVA composite films and most of the analysis like physicomechanical properties, AFM, XRD, Thermal analysis, etc

V. A. Sajeevkumar, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru

Dr V.A. Sajeevkumar received his PhD in Chemistry and currently working as Scientist ‘F’ in Food Engineering and Packaging Department at Defence Food Research Laboratory Mysuru.

He has initiated the work on development of the nanocomposite films of PVA with natural fillers, planned the experiments carried out FTIR characterisation and contributed towards the interpretation of results, drafting and revision of manuscript.

Johnsy George, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru

Dr Johnsy George received his PhD in Polymer Science and currently working as Scientist ‘E’ in Food Engineering and Packaging Department at Defence Food Research Laboratory Mysuru.

He was involved in the conduct of experiments using DMA and interpretation of its results.

Sunny Kumar, Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysuru

Mr Sunny Kumar is Senior Technical Assistant ‘B’ working in Food Engineering and Packaging Department at Defence Food Research Laboratory Mysuru.

He was involved in morphological characterisation of sorghum starch as well as PVA composites films using scanning electron microscope.