Starch-based Films Plasticized with Glycerol and Lignin from Piassava Fiber Reinforced with Nanocrystals from Eucalyptus☆

Abstract The application of nanotechnology in the preparation of bionanocomposites films has been widely studied in recent years. The use of additives to improve mechanical and barrier properties on biodegradable starch-based films can enable their use on industrial packaging. These films have the advantages of coming from renewable sources, low cost and biodegradability. To Brazil, such biofilms represent a way to add value to important and very available raw materials and allow the country production know-how development. This study aims to evaluate the thermal, mechanical and barrier properties of flexible thermoplastic films of corn starch using glycerol and lignin as plasticizers and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as reinforcement. It was observed that the presence of lignin and 1% CNCs effectively increased the maximum stress and the modulus of elasticity of about 256% and 1478%, respectively, when compared with the film containing only glycerol. It also improved the barrier properties. The presence of lignin provided an improvement in the thermal stability of the material.