Effects of low-temperature plasma modification on properties of CEO-SBA-15/potato starch film

A potato starch solution was modified by low-temperature plasma (LTP), and cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was incorporated with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (SBA-15) to obtain modified CEO-SBA-15/potato starch film. The mechanical properties, physical properties and gas resistance properties of the films were measured when the LTP treatment time was 0 min, 3 min, 6 min, 9 min, 12 min and 15 min. LTP treatment significantly increased the tensile strength and elongation at break of the material, and decreased the air permeability and hygroscopicity, until LTP treatment time was 9 min. The SEM results showed that circular cracks appeared on the surface of the potato starch granules after the plasma treatment. Notably, the number of circular cracks increased as the processing time increased. This may be beneficial to the effect of LTP on starch internal structure. The film had the optimal water vapor transmittance rate (12.05 g/(m(2).h)), opacity (3.15%), tensile strength (3.55 MPa), and oxygen transmittance rate (5.129 x 10(-15) cm(2) s(-1) Pa-1) at a treatment time of 6 min. Significantly, the LTP-modified potato starch improved the performance of film and reduced the aggregation of nanoparticles in the film.

Automated summary

Low-temperature plasma treatment improves the performance of potato starch material by reducing gas permeability and hygroscopicity. The film has optimal water vapor transmittance rate, tensile strength, and oxygen transmittance rate when treated for 6 minutes.