Studies on the pyrolysis and potential flame retardancy of low-substituted starch phosphates.

Investigations on the pyrolysis and potential flame retardancy imparted by solvent-free and semi-dry phosphorylation of different starches using sodium orthophosphates were conducted. The samples - low-substituted starch phosphates (SP) with degrees of substitution DS < 0.5 - were subjected to differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry coupled with evolved gas analysis and pyrolysis - gas chromatography - mass spectrometry.

Thermal characterization of ammonium starch phosphate carbamates for potential applications as bio-based flame-retardants.

The thermal degradation of ammonium starch phosphate carbamates (SPC) with varying degrees of substitution (DS) was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry coupled with Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. The data were analyzed with regard to the structural features of SPC and with respect to its potential flame-retardant properties. It became obvious that charring of SPC and polyphosphate formation in the condensed phase increased significantly in case of rising DS of SPC.

Functional group analysis of starches reacted with urea-phosphoric acid-Correlation of wet chemical measures with FT Raman spectroscopy.

Because the degree of substitution (DS) of chemically modified starches strongly affects their physicochemical properties and applications, rapid techniques for its determination are crucial. In the present work, ammonium starch phosphates carbamates (SPC) were obtained by reacting starch with urea-phosphoric acid. DS of phosphate (DS), carbamate (DS), and ammonium groups (DS+) and contents of non-hydrolyzable amides (N) of SPC were determined using the vanadomolybdophosphoric acid and saponification methods, respectively.

Dynamic moisture sorption characteristics of xerogels from water-swellable oligo(oxyethylene) lignin derivatives.

Highly swellable lignin derivatives were prepared by cross-linking of oxidatively preactivated spruce organosolv lignin (OSL) with poly(ethylene) glycol diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE). The lignin gels obtained are considered to be an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic hydrogels and superabsorbents and represent a novel type of lignin based functional materials. For their application, it is not only the absorption of water in terms of hydrogel swelling that plays an important role, but also the adsorption and retention of moisture by the corresponding xerogels.

Debranched cassava starch crystallinity determination by Raman spectroscopy: Correlation of features in Raman spectra with X-ray diffraction and C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy.

Because starch crystallinity influences the physical, mechanical, and technological aspects of numerous starch-based products during production and storage, rapid techniques for its assessment are vital. Samples of different levels of crystallinity were obtained by debranching gelatinized cassava starch, followed by subjection to various hydrothermal treatments. The recrystallized products were further subjected to partial hydrolysis with a mixture of α-amylase and glucoamylase prior to freeze-drying.