Starch-grafted-N-vinylformamide copolymers manufactured by reactive extrusion: synthesis and characterization

Potato starch grafted with N-vinylformamide (NVF) copolymers have been manufactured by reactive extrusion in presence of radical initiators: 2,2’-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrogen chloride or 2,2’-azobis(isobutyronitrile). During extrusion the following parameters have been changed: screw speed, temperature profile and initiator type whereas constant weight ratio of the reaction components NVF/starch/water 40:100:34 was kept. Raw copolymerization products have been evaluated by solubility tests in alkali aqueous solution at pH 9.0.