Effect of Agar and Cotton Fiber on Properties of Thermoplastic Waxy Rice Starch Composites

Biodegradable polymer from thermoplastic waxy rice starch (TPWRS) was prepared by internal mixer and compression molding. Since tensile properties and water uptake of the TPWRS was still the main disadvantages, the TPWRS sample was, therefore, modified by agar and/or cotton fibers. The effect of different ratios of agar:cotton fibers on properties of the TPWRS matrix were also studied. It was found that new hydrogen bonds could be found for the TPWRS matrix with the addition of different ratios of agar: cotton fibers by the detection of IR peak shift. Tensile properties of the TPWRS sample were significantly improved by the addition of agar or cotton fibers and the highest tensile properties were obtained from the TPWRS composite modified with 4:6 agar:cotton fibers. In addition, thermal degradation temperature and thermal stability of the starch were improved by the incorporation of agar and/or cotton fibers. Moreover, color measurement, morphology, water uptake and biodegradability from soil burial test were also examined.