Work

Acetylated cassava starch-based microcellular foams prepared by supercritical CO₂ processing: Structure, foaming behavior and biodegradability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Acetylated cassava starch-based microcellular foams were prepared using supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO₂) processing to investigate the combined effects of the degree of substitution (DS) and saturation pressure on the foam morphology, physical properties, and degradation behavior during soil burial. Thermoplastic starch prepared from acetylated cassava starch with measured DS values of 1.39 and 1.69 containing 30 wt% triacetin was saturated with ScCO₂ at 70 °C and pressures ranging from 105 to 205 bar, followed by rapid depressurization. The foam morphology and physical properties were influenced by both DS and saturation pressure. Increasing the saturation pressure reduced the average cell size and increased the cell density, whereas a higher DS produced more homogeneous cellular structures with lower crystallinities. At 180 bar, the foam prepared from DS 1.69 exhibited an average cell size of 4.62 μm and cell density of approximately 10⁹ cells·cm⁻³ . Variations in cellular morphology were accompanied by corresponding changes in bulk density, compressive strength, water uptake, wettability, and weight loss after 30 d of soil burial. Compared with the foam prepared from DS 1.39, the foam prepared from DS 1.69 exhibited lower water uptake, higher surface hydrophobicity, and lower weight loss during the soil burial test. The results demonstrate that differences in the degree of substitution and saturation pressure led to distinct cellular structures, resulting in corresponding differences in the physical properties of the acetylated starch-based microcellular foams

Source: Industrial Crops and Products

DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2026.124441

Authors: Nanik Hendrawati, Uka Nawanti Islamiyah, Bramantyo Airlangga, Ernia Novika Dewi, Cucuk Evi Lusiani, Sumarno Sumarno

Institutions: Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Politeknik Negeri Malang

Language: English

Topic: Polymer Foaming and Composites

Subfield: Polymers and Plastics

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Climate action, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,720