Manufacturing and Properties of Biodegradable Composites Based on Thermoplastic Starch/Polyethylene-Vinyl Alcohol and Silver Particles

Smart and biodegradable packaging is very desire combination due to the combination of two very important properties nowadays. From many biode-gradable polymers starch is the first one applied in the packaging industry. In this work, a processing and properties of biodegradable composites based on Mater-Bi modified with silver was presented. The Mater-Bi/Ag composites were prepared by melt blending and injection molding process. The morphology and dispersion of Ag particles in the polymer matrix were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The crystallization, melting behavior and thermal properties were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The Young’s modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile-impact strength for Mater-Bi/composites with different of silver content and pure polymer were compared. Mater-Bi composites modified with silver were found to be active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Selected mechanical, thermal and microbial properties were conducted. Results showed a significant improvement in mechanical and thermal properties in accordance with the addition of silver into Mater-Bi matrix. Silver easily incorporated in polymer matrix and produces homogeneous Mater-Bi/0.5Ag composite. The results have shown that obtained composite have good mechanical and thermal properties and simultaneously can inhibit growth of some pathogen bacteria.