Biofriendly ionic liquids for starch plasticization: a screening approach

Abstract

A series of cholinium cation-based bioionic liquids (BioILs) were synthetized with the aim of screening their performance as potential plasticizers of thermoplastic starch. To synthesize these BioILs, two easy and fast synthetic routes were selected: an ion exchange reaction, direct and economical, and a two-step acid–base reaction. Most of these BioILs allowed efficient plasticization of starch by film casting. The structure of the anion used significantly influences the thermo(hygro)mechanical and recrystallization behavior, making it possible to modulate the properties of the final material.