Starches modified with polyurethane microparticles: Effects of hydroxyl numbers of polyols in polyurethane

► Starch was modified by polyurethane (PU) with different OH numbers in polyols. ► Almost 100% of PU was cross-linked to starch. ► With increasing OH numbers, the compatibility between starch and PU was improved. ► With increasing OH numbers, the performance of modified starches was improved. ► Starch modified by PCL tertol based PU showed excellent properties.