Improving mechanical and water sorption properties of thermoplastic starch by incorporating chitosan filler

To develop an adequate matrix polymer for agricultural or packaging applications, thermoplastic starch (TPS)/chitosan composites were prepared in a wide composition range either by injection moulding or in an internal mixer followed by compression moulding. Chitosan behaves as filler forming dispersed structure in TPS samples prepared by thermomechanical methods without any additional acid. In the TPS composites chitosan has a considerable...