PREPARATION, EVALUATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STARCH AND GRAFTED STARCH

The aim of this study was to synthesize the graft copolymer of starch to obtain materials that profit from the particular properties of both natural and synthetic polymeric material. Thus in the present work, a graft copolymer of methyl acrylate and potato starch has been synthesized under microwave irradiation using K2S2O8-TU redox pair, which generates free radical sites on the starch backbone where grafting will occur. MA was chosen as a co-monomer because of its known biocompatibility and non-toxic behavior together with ease of polymerization. Starch was modified through graft copolymerization of poly (methyl acrylate) under microwave irradiation using K2S2O8-TU redox pair. Different parameters were optimized to have a maximum yield of 390%. The effect of PMA grafting onto starch in respect of structural, mechanical, and other properties of grafted starch was investigated by FTIR, TGA, DSC, and SEM analysis. These copolymers could be used as biodegradable fillers and packaging material in the plastic industry. The graft copolymers, therefore, can help increase bioavailability. Due to the biodegradability of starch, St-g-PMA is regarded as eco-friendly material which minimizes environmental crises. Thus its low-cost, safe production in less time, reduced homo-polymerization, and high yield make it a very efficient route for graft copolymerization of natural as well as synthetic polymers.