Starch crosslinked with poly(vinyl alcohol) by boric acid

Starch was crosslinked with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) by boric acid. A suitable plasticizer and defoamer were added to obtain the brei. A film from the starch and PVA (SP film) was prepared by casting. The effects of various factors, such as the crosslinking temperature, the PVA content, and the amounts of glycerol and boric acid, on the tensile strength and breaking elongation were studied. The results showed that the SP film prepared by boric acid crosslinking had excellent mechanical properties. The film-forming properties, transmittance, and water resistance of the SP film were also investigated. (c) 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.