Reinforcement of starch/polyvinyl alcohol blend using nano-titanium dioxide

The article reports the results of the studies on the effect of nano-titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of 1:1 starch/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites. Degree of crystallinity of the starch/PVA blends increases with increase in the amount of nano-TiO2 as determined by differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction studies. Results of stress-strain studies indicate an increase in the tensile properties and a decrease in the percentage of elongation and energy at break particularly at higher amount of nano-TiO2. Increase in peak width in the differential thermogram plot for the maximum decomposition temperature is indicative of increased blend heterogeneity in the presence of nanofillers. The degree of swelling in water decreases with increase in filler loading due to filler-matrix bonding.