Structure and properties of starch/PVA/nano-SiO2 hybrid films

Starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) biodegradable hybrid films were prepared via the sol-gel method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to evaluate the structure of the films. The aging and biodegradable properties of the films were studied as well. A gel network was formed in the films; this network is responsible in improving the performance of the starch/PVA/nano-SiO2 hybrid films. The crystal structure of the films was increased owing to the addition of nano-SiO2. The addition of nano-SiO2 also delays aging of the films. However, the enzymatic degradation test shows that the addition of nano-SiO2 has no significant influence on the biodegradability of the films. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.