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Characteristics of Starch-Based Cellulosic Foam Made by Microwave Expansion

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2012 Dallas, Texas, July 29 - August 1, 2012  121338458.(doi:10.13031/2013.41915)
Authors:   Yuzhi Deng, Jeffrey M Catchmark
Keywords:   starch, microcrystalline cellulose, microwave expansion

There is an ongoing interest in naturally derived biocomposites which exhibit low density and high porosity for a wide range of applications ranging from insulating building materials, to biomedical tissue scaffolds to processed food products. In this work, we study the expansion of starch-based cellulosic composites after microwave treatment. Time series studies showed optimal microwave treatment time for 20% microcrystalline cellulose reinforced starch-based foam was around 40s. Among all the foams, the maximal expansion ratio was around 492%. Densities of the foams were investigated using volume displacement method. The effect of microcrystalline cellulose on starch expansion is further discussed.

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