Sharif Digital Repository

In this study, effects of glycerol (10, 20, and 30 wt%) and Sodium Montmorillonite (Na-MMT) (0%, 2.5%, and 5%) contents on the degradation of corn starch polymers were investigated. Films were prepared by casting corn starch solution using a modified method to enhance the nanoclay distribution. Biodegradability studies were performed by enzymatic and burial tests using pristine and enriched soils. The biodegradability of samples in pristine soil was faster, and all samples were fully degraded in 6 months. The effect of nanoparticles on the mass reduction in degradation was more pronounced than that of glycerol. In all glycerol concentrations, Na-MMT addition increased tensile strength. FTIR... 

Inclusion of nano-clays into hydrogels is an efficient approach to produce nanocomposite hydrogels. The introduction of nano-clay into hydrogels causes an increase in water absorbency. In the present work, Nanocomposite hydro-gels based on kappa-carrageenan were synthesized using sodium montmorillonite as nano-clay. Acrylamide and meth-ylenebisacrylamide were used as monomer and crosslinker, respectively. The structure of nanocomposite hydrogels was investigated by XRD and SEM techniques. Swelling behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels was studied by varying clay and carrageenan contents as well as methylenebisacrylamide concentration. An optimum swelling capacity was achieved at 12% of sodium...