Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of biodegradable properties polyvinyl alcohol/maize starch blend films

Abstract

In this study various ratios of polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) and maize
starch (MS) were casted on petri dishes. Then biodegradability of the
polymer films prepared was investigated based on their ability to absorb
polar solvent (water) and non-polar solvents benzene and xylene. The
absorption test revealed that the polymer films of MS blend and
PVOH/MS blend ratios of 4:6 permitted more diffusion rate of water to
saturation at every time interval of 1 hour giving rise to their increased
sizes; whereas in benzene and xylene media the polymer film ratios
showed less diffusion rate and absorption. In polar solvent, the unblended
PVOH and the blended 6:4 ratio in the polymer films exhibited less
diffusion rate and absorption. The polymer films with 4:6 ratios show
greater strength against disintegration in polar solvent. The probability
coefficients P>0.05 were obtained from ANOVA test F(4,20) = 0.733, P
= 0.580; F(4,20) = 2.79, P = 0.540; and F(4,20) = 2.46, P = 0.790 for
polymer films immersed in water, benzene and xylene respectively. This
implies that there were significant differences in mean data distributions
for the polymer film ratios on diffusion and absorption of the various
solvents used. This study also revealed that MS can be blended into a
synthetic polymer like polyvinyl alcohol to produce packing material
with biodegradable potentials.