Composites of thermoplastic starch and nanoclays produced by extrusion and thermopressing

► Effect of hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanoclays on starch films properties. ► Hydrophilic nanoclay lowered WVP, and increased rigidity. ► Effects are associated with the dispersion of nanoclay in the polymer matrix. ► Nanoclays can enhance films properties for industrial production. The aim of this study was to produce thermoplastic starch (TPS) films and to enhance their properties by reinforcing them with hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanoclays. TPS films were prepared by extrusion and thermopressing, and their crystallinity, water vapor permeability (WVP), and mechanical properties were studied. The hydrophilic nanoclay lowered the material WVP due to the formation of an intercalated composite. The hydrophobic nanoclays increased the rigidity of the films but did not alter the tensile strength. The blending of nanoclays with thermoplastic starch modifies the mechanical properties and WVP, and these changes are strongly associated with the dispersion of nanoclay in the polymer matrix. The dispersion, in turn, depends on the compatibility of the matrix and the nanoclay in terms of the hygroscopicity and the concentration in which the nanoclay is used. The addition of nanoclays to starch-based films is a promising way to enhance them for industrial manufacture.