Preparation and characterization of bionanocomposites based on soluble starch/nano CaCO3

Starch is natural biopolymers with diversified applications as a biodegradable material which is a suitable alternative of non‐biodegradable and non‐renewable materials. The use of nanofiller as reinforcement results in considerable improvement in various properties of starch. Herein, nano calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) designed starch bionanocomposites are prepared by solution technique. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction are used for study of structural interaction of nano calcium carbonate with starch. The morphology of starch/CaCO 3 bionanocomposites is investigated by high resolution transmission electron microscope. The thermal stability of starch is increased substantially due to incorporation of stable calcium carbonate nano powder. It is found that the 40% of residual mass was left at 800°C with a loading of 8 wt% of CaCO 3 . The oxygen permeability of starch/CaCO 3 bionanocomposites is decreased by three times as compared to the virgin starch. Their biodegradability and chemical resistance properties are investigated. The tensile strength of starch/CaCO 3 bionanocomposites is also improved with incorporation of nano CaCO 3 . The prepared bionanocomposites with substantial reduction in oxygen barrier properties in combination with increased thermal stability, tensile strength, and chemical resistance properties can be suitable materials for packaging applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E82–E89, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers