Physical Properties and Characterization of Biodegradable Films Using Nano-Sized TiO₂/Poly(acrylamide-<i>co</i>-methyl methacrylate) Composite

Abstract

In this study, biodegradable films were prepared by using corn starch, PVA, nano-sized poly(acrylamide-co-methyl methacrylate) (PAAm-co-MMA), nano-sized TiO2(P-25)/PAAm-co-MMA composite, and additives which are harmless to the human body, that is, glycerol (GL) and citric acid (CA). Nano-sized PAAm-co-MMA was synthesized by the method of emulsion polymerization. Also, nano-sized TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composites were synthesized by wet milling for 48 h. The morphology and crystallinty of nano-sized PAAm-co-MMA and TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composite was observed by the SEM and XRD. The physical properties such as tensile strength (TS), elongation at break (%E), degree of swelling (DS), and solubility (S) of biodegradable films were investigated. The photocatalytic degradability of starch/PVA/nano-sized TiO2/PAAm-co-MMA composite blended films was evaluated using methylene blue as photodegradation target.