Biodegradable soy protein films with controllable water solubility and enhanced mechanical properties via graft polymerization

Yi Zhao, Helan Xu, Bingnan Mu, Lan Xu, Yiqi Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid endowed soy protein films with good tensile properties and water solubility without sacrificing biodegradability. In this research, soy protein was grafted with acrylic acid and cast into biodegradable films as substitutes of non-biodegradable Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films. The grafted soy protein films had 318%, 114%, 60% and 9% higher tensile strength, elongation, dissolving rate and transmittance, compared to ungrafted ones, respectively. Acrylic acid grafting provided soy protein films with biodegradability, flexibility, and adhesion to yarns substantially higher than PVA, while water solubility and abrasion resistance similar to PVA, leading to high potential applications of the grafted soy proteins in the fields of water soluble packaging films and slashing to substitute PVA.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)75-84
Number of pages10
JournalPolymer Degradation and Stability
Volume133
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016

Keywords

  • Acrylic acid
  • Biodegradation
  • Graft polymerization
  • Poly(vinyl alcohol)
  • Soy protein
  • Water soluble film

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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