Effect of Modified Starch on Properties of Clay Composites

This study is devoted to clay modification with a corn starch biopolymer. Authors given the assessment of three different starch thermal modifications (cold, hot and combined), as well as their effect on the clay composite. Described the principle of starch thermal modification and its structural transformations during heat treatment. Incorporation of the gelated starch into clay body contributes to the strength increasing of the clay composite up 18% to 126% for gelatinized and retrograded starch, respectively. Due to its covering properties, the gelled and retrograded starch hydrogel integrates well into the structure of the clay composite and has a positive effect on both its mechanical and physical properties. Also, the obtained clay composite is ecological due to its natural components.