Structural and mechanical characteristics of film using modified corn starch by the same two chemical processes used in different sequences

► Cross-linking and esterification were conducted to get complexly modified corn starches in different sequences. ► Films were made from dual modified starches. ► Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy of modified starch and films were investigated. ► Mechanical characteristics of films were investigated, tensile strength and transparence of modified starch films were higher.