Thermoplastic starch polymer blends and nanocomposites

This paper reviews the development of bio-based thermoplastic starch polymer blends and nanocomposites at the University of Queensland. Starch-based thermoplastics are relatively cheap and more importantly manufactured using a renewable biomaterial. However traditionally most thermoplastic starch polymers suffer from low water resistance and loss of mechanical properties when in contact with water. This paper will highlight the development of thermoplastic starch polymer blends and nanocomposite materials to overcome some of the challenges of thermoplastic starch. Specifically we will highlight understandings in the genetics-structure-property-biodegradation relationships for thermoplastic starch polymers, developments in blends, nanocomposite materials and reactive extrusion and highlights of scale-up of film blowing and injection molding grades.