Starch Aerogels: A Member of the Family of Thermal Superinsulating Materials.

Starch aerogels were prepared via dissolution in water (thermomechanical treatment), retrogradation, solvent exchange, and drying with supercritical CO. Amylose content in starches was varied from 0 to 100%. The aerogels' bulk density, morphology, specific surface area, thermal conductivity, and mechanical properties under compression were investigated.

Synthesis and properties of fatty acid starch esters.

Being completely bio-based, fatty acid starch esters (FASEs) are attractive materials that represent an alternative to crude oil-based plastics. In this study, two synthesis methods were compared in terms of their efficiency, toxicity and, especially, product solubility with starch laurate (C12) as model compound. Laurates (DS>2) were obtained through transesterification of fatty acid vinylesters in DMSO or reaction with fatty acid chlorides in pyridine.