MODIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STARCH AS AN ADHESIVE

Increasing demand of energy globally and scarcity of petroleum resources has shifted focus of chemical industries to look for alternative raw material resources. Bio-based adhesive are attracting more and more attention in various fields due to their improved environmental footprint and independence from petroleum resources. Though synthetic chemical based resins have better bonding properties, it shows some drawbacks, which are harmful to humans as well as environment. Starch is produced by plants as a way to store the chemical energy that they produce during photosynthesis. The main goal of this study was to use cornstarch and arrowroot starch in the production of environmentally sound adhesives. Arrowroot & corn starch are environmentally friendly products, they can be modified as adhesive. Starch is considered as a ideal material for manufacturing of wood-composite adhesives because of its low cost, high free hydroxyl content, easy processing and treatment.