COMPARATIVE THERMAL-ANALYSIS STUDY OF 2 BIOPOLYMERS, STARCH AND CELLULOSE

The degradation of cellulose and starch samples in air and nitrogen ha s been investigated by thermal analysis techniques. The techniques emp loyed were differential thermal analysis, rising temperature and tempe rature jump thermogravimetry. Rate data were obtained from these exper iments and Arrhenius parameters calculated from these values. This dat a was used to determine the mechanism by which the cellulose and starc h samples degraded. The Arrhenius parameters were also calculated. The behavior of starch and cellulose upon thermal analysis were compared and are reported. E-act for corn starch was found to be 474 kJ mol(-1) and for a cellulose 242 kJ mol(-1).