Starch composites with aconitic acid

• Improved insight and knowledge of the dual role of aconitic acid as a plasticising and a cross-linking agent.
• The addition of aconitic acid to starch film impacts upon the elastomeric properties.
• Reduced water solubility (maintain flexibility) of starch/solvent-casting films with aconitic acid.

The aim of this project is to examine the effectiveness of using aconitic acid (AcA), a tricarboxylic acid which contains a carbon/carbon double bond (CC), to enhance the properties of starch-based films. Starch/glycerol cast films were prepared with 0, 2, 5, 10 and 15 wt% AcA (starch wt% basis) and the properties analysed. It was shown that AcA acted as both a cross-linking agent and also a strong plasticising agent. The 5 wt% AcA derived starch films were the most effectively cross-linked having the lowest solubility (28 wt%) and decreased swelling coefficient (35 vol.%) by approximately 3 times and 2.4 times respectively compared to the control film submerged in water (23 °C). There was also a significant increase in the film elongation at break by approximately 35 times (compared to the control) with the addition of 15 wt% AcA, emphasising the plasticising effect of AcA. However, generally there was a reduced tensile strength, softening of the film, and reduced thermal stability with increased amounts of AcA.