Eco-friendly synthesis of biodegradable and high strength ternary blend films of PVA/starch/pectin: Mechanical, thermal and biodegradation studies

The present study described reduces of plastic based non-biodegradable food packaging material and sustainability toward the environmental protection. The polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) based ternary blend biodegradable films with bio-materials (corn starch and pectin) in ratio 1:5, 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1 were synthesized by solution casting method in water as a solvent to improve the tensile strength, high % elongation at break, and sustained packaging properties. Citric acid and glycerol were used for cross-linking and plasticizing purposes which are also bio-degradable and non-toxic. Blend films were characterized by FTIR and checked out the cross-linking of different components. The dispersion of contents in films was analyzed by SEM images. Thermal stability and degradation behavior of casted films were studied with thermogravimetry and thermal stability increased in blends as compared to neat PVA film. Biodegradability of cast films was also checked by Soil Burial method and bio-degradation increased with time i.e. almost 50% degrades in 30 days and 68% after 90 days. Tensile properties of blend films were tested and found that tensile strength (18.85 MPa) and elongation at break (516%) are high in blend films as compared with neat PVA film (12.04 MPa, 170%). The films are eco-friendly and biodegradable, might be a replacement of plastic material in food packaging having improved tensile properties.