Progress 12/07/05 to 09/30/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative project is to increase the compatibility of starch and lignin. The long-term goal of the project is to produce starch-lignin plastic materials. A national bioproduct initiative aims to increase the use of biomass for plastics and other materials. Starch and lignin are abundant natural biopolymers. Both have been used separately to produce plastic materials. Past attempts to compatibilize starch and lignin have led to brittle materials. Expect the starch-lignin materials to show increased water resistance relative to starch-only compositions. Also expect the following outcomes: (1) increased utilization of lignin, an abundant co-product of paper manufacturing; (2)increased utilization of starch; and (3)increased alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Approach (from AD-416) Will test the hypothesis that at high pH the formation of phenolate in the lignin increases the compatibility of lignin and starch. Will use glycerol as a plasticizer. Formulations will be prepared by varying the starch-lignin-glycerol composition and the pH. Samples will be prepared by film-casting and extrusion. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report documents research conducted under a Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between Agricultural Research Services (ARS) and State University of New York at Binghamton. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 3620-41000-114-00D, entitled "Modification of Natural Polymers by Thermo-mechanical Processing." The objective of this agreement is to increase the compatibility of starch and lignin and thereby produce starch-lignin plastic materials with improved mechanical properties. Results obtained in the prior year on morphology and mechanical properties of extruded starch/lignin blends were submitted to Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy. Revisions were made and the manuscript was subsequently accepted by the journal in fiscal year 2007. A grant application covering starch-lignin blends was also submitted by the cooperator. Activity for the project was monitored by email and telephone conversations with the cooperator. This work was carried out in support of ARS National Program 306, Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products and addresses Problem Statement 2c, New and Improved Processes and Feedstocks.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06
Outputs
Progress Report 4d Progress report. This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement between ARS and State University of New York at Binghamton. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the parent project 3620-41000-114-00D, "Modification of Natural Polymers by Thermo-mechanical Processing". The objective of this agreement is to increase the compatibility of starch and lignin and thereby produce starch-lignin plastic materials with improved mechanical properties. Flexible cornstarch films with improved strength were prepared by extrusion with kraft lignin and glycerol. The lignin appeared to be finely dispersed into particles of 0.1-1 micrometer in size and thus acted as a reinforcing filler. These results may be important to industrial and academic researchers interested in improving the mechanical properties of starch films and coatings as well as preparing small (nanoparticulate) sized lignin
particles. Since the latter are dark brown in color, they may also have some potential to replace carbon black as a colorant or filler. This work was carried out in support of ARS National Program 306, Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products and addresses Problem Statement 2c, New and Improved Processes and Feedstocks.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
|
|