Biodegradable bioplastic compositions and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

Bioplastic compositions containing between 2 wt. % and 25 wt. % of at least one starch, between 40 wt. % and 65 wt. % of at least one plasticizer, and between 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of at least one acid are used as insulation materials. A method of making a bioplastic composition includes the steps of heating a first aqueous mixture containing at least one plasticizer and at least one acid; adding at least one starch to the first aqueous mixture to produce a second aqueous mixture; heating and mixing the second aqueous mixture to produce a precipitate; and separating the precipitate from residual liquid of the second aqueous mixture to produce a bioplastic composition.

1 . A bioplastic composition, the composition comprising at least one starch, at least one plasticizer, and at least one acid, wherein the at least one starch is between 2 wt. % and 25 wt. %, the at least one plasticizer is between 40 wt. % and 65 wt. %, and the at least one acid is between 1 wt. % to 10 wt. %. 
     
     
         2 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one starch is selected from the group consisting of corn starch, cassava starch, arrowroot starch, potato starch, taro starch, sweet potato starch, tannia starch, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one starch is a potato starch. 
     
     
         4 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one plasticizer is glycerin. 
     
     
         5 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acid is acetic acid. 
     
     
         6 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one starch is between 5 wt. % and 15 wt. %, the at least one plasticizer is between 45 wt. % and 55 wt. %, and the at least one acid is between 1 wt. % to 5 wt. %. 
     
     
         7 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 1 , wherein thermal conductivity of the bioplastic composition is from 0.05 to 0.25 W/(m° C.). 
     
     
         8 . A bioplastic composition, the composition comprising about at least one starch, at least one plasticizer, and at least one acid, wherein ratio of the least one starch to at least one plasticizer to at least one acid is a weight ratio of about 10:2:2 to about 10:4:4. 
     
     
         9 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 8 , wherein the ratio of the least one starch to the at least one plasticizer to the at least one acid is a weight ratio of about 10:3:3. 
     
     
         10 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one starch is selected from the group consisting of corn starch, cassava starch, arrow root, potato starch, taro starch, sweet potato starch, tannia starch, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one plasticizer is glycerin. 
     
     
         12 . The bioplastic composition of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one acid is acetic acid. 
     
     
         13 . A method of making a bioplastic composition, the method comprising:
 heating a first aqueous mixture containing at least one plasticizer and at least one acid;   adding at least one starch to the first aqueous mixture to produce a second aqueous mixture;   heating and mixing the second aqueous mixture to produce a precipitate; and   separating the precipitate from residual liquid of the second aqueous mixture to produce a bioplastic composition.   
     
     
         14 . The method of making a bioplastic composition of  claim 13 , wherein the bioplastic composition contains between 2 wt. % and 25 wt. % of the at least one starch, between 40 wt. % and 65 wt. % of the at least one plasticizer, and between 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of the at least one acid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of making a bioplastic composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one starch is selected from the group consisting of cassava starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, sweet potato starch, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of making a bioplastic composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one starch is a potato starch. 
     
     
         17 . The method of making a bioplastic composition of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one plasticizer is glycerin. 
     
     
         18 . The method of making a bioplastic composition of  claim 13 , further comprising heating the first aqueous mixture to a temperature from 80° C. to about 120° C. 
     
     
         19 . A method of insulating a building, the method comprising
 placing an insulation structure made of a bioplastic composition between a ceiling and a roof of a building, the bioplastic composition containing between 2 wt. % and 25 wt. % of at least one starch, between 40 wt. % and 65 wt. % of at least one plasticizer, and between 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of at least one acid.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one starch is a potato starch.