green starch composite films reinforced bysecond-generation bioethanol production byproduct

Starch is a very interesting biodegradable polymer (low-price, natural abundance, and non-toxic) however, its weak mechanical performance has limited its applications . the aim of this study was to reinforce the mechanical properties of starch film by addition of lignin particles as by-product of bioethanol production . starch films were prepared from suspensions of corn starch, glycerol, lignin, and water employing solvent casting process. from the results, it was found that by adding 10 wt.% lignin particles, the tensile strength and modulus of the pure starch were improved from 4.80 mpa and 0.86 mpa to 8 mpa and 2.5 mpa, respectively.