Preparation and properties of starch-based film using N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)formamide as a new plasticizer

N,N-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)formamide (BHF) was synthesized efficiently and used as a new plasticizer for corn starch to prepare flexible starch film. The hydrogen bond interaction between BHF and starch was proven by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. By scanning electron microscope (SEM), starch granules were completely disrupted and a continuous phase was obtained. The crystallinity of corn starch and BHF-plasticized starch film (BSF) was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The water resistance of BSF was better than that of glycerol-plasticized starch film (GSF). Water vapor permeability of BSF was lower than that of GSF. Tensile strengths of BSF were inferior to those of GSF, while the elongations at break of BSF were higher than those of GSF.