Enhancement of polylactic acid films properties by incorporation of starch nanocrystals

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer used in films production; however, it has some limitations. Thus, strategies can be used to improve the characteristics of these materials such as the incorporation of starch nanocrystals (SNCs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to add potato and rice SNCs in PLA matrix in the melt to obtain PLA films with structural reinforcement to improve its properties. The SNCs were produced by acid hydrolysis and incorporated to the matrix in 0.5 and 1 wt% amounts. The films were then produced by bioriented tubular extrusion and characterized with several techniques. Films containing 1 wt% of potato SNCs showed an increase in tensile strength, elongation, and glass transition temperature, but a reduction in water vapor permeability. Therefore, the use of potato SNCs as a structural reinforcement for PLA films improved the properties of the films making them suitable candidates for several other applications.