**3. Conclusions**

**2.8. Applications of the starch-g-synthetic polymer graft copolymer**

Worldwide research is being carried out to generate materials more environmentally friendly and that these become an alternative to compete with conventional plastics. The synthesis of graft-type copolymers between starch and synthetic polymers is a serious alternative to obtain biodegradable materials with good physicochemical properties. The applications of these copolymers are widely depending on the source of starch and the synthetic polymer (**Table 6**).

**Graft copolymers Applies References** Starch-g-lactic acid Material with excellent degradability [27–29]

textile industry and preparing biodegradable hydrogels and agricultural

commonly used biotemplate and carbon precursor in materials research

polymeric dispersions and pigments and improved high gloss papers

delivery, food, water treatment, cosmetics and other fields. More detailed rheological property studies of starch-PGA graft copolymers

due to PLA branches can be utilized in a wide range of engineering, bioengineering and medical application areas, which will be the subject

modified starch for industrial applications how a thermal stabilizer

adsorption–desorption cycles, which indicated its high reusability

The graft copolymer can be used as a biodegradable Hg (II) ions adsorbing agent for the removal of toxic Hg (II) ions from the waste

biodegradable superabsorbent for hygienic, agricultural and cosmetics purposes, paper industry, textile industry, petrochemical and mineral

Environmentally friendly materials which are promising materials such as fillers, stabilizers, modifiers, matrices or plastics which can replace nonbiodegradable and compostable petroleum-based plastic materials

super absorbents, drug-delivery system, polymeric dispersions, pigments and improved high gloss papers coated with the coating color compositions, soil conditioners, additives for paper and textiles,

adhesives, enhanced oil recovery and sanitary goods

[30–32]

[36–38]

[41]

[42]

[43]

[44, 60]

[45]

[46]

[62]

[63]

[39, 40, 59]

[33–35, 58]

Starch-g-PCL In food packaging, drug delivery, bags and flavored biodegradable

Starch-g-PMA Food packing, biomedical fields, coating and adhesives, drag reduction,

Starch-g-PS in the production of paper, textiles and food additives, as well as being a

Starch-g-PAN In the field of biomedicine and pharmacy such as soft contact lenses,

Starch-g-PB Also disclosed are paper coating color compositions comprising the

Starch-g-PGA Copolymer allows it to have many potential applications in drug

of our future investigations

Starch-g-poly(ethylacrylate) The sorbent could be used successfully used for five consecutive

Starch-g-poly-(N-

Starch-g-poly(benzyl methacrylate)

methylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid)

16 Applications of Modified Starches

Starch-g-PLA An expected improvement in their processability and biocompatibility

Starch-g-PBA This material provides an attractive alternative for the preparation of

water enriched with Hg (II) ions.

Starch-g-AAm Waste water treatment (flocculants), polyvalent metal cation sorbents,

recovery

**Table 6.** Applications of some starch-g-synthetic polymer graft copolymers.

Starch-g-PVA/HA Biomedical applications [61]

coated with the coating color compositions

are needed to explore their potential applications

materials

mulch films

Synthesis of starch-g-synthetic polymer graft copolymers is increasing worldwide because this copolymer is an alternative for the generation of biodegradable materials and good physicochemical properties to compete with conventional plastics. In order to carry out this synthesis, it is necessary to review several factors such as the chemical and physical properties of the homopolymers to propose the most suitable conditions for the copolymerization reaction. The solubility of the two homopolymers in a solvent is very important to facilitate the graft copolymerization and its chemical characterization. However, the higher the solubility, the lower is the value of the molar mass grafted onto the starch granule, that is, the lengths of the grafted polymer chains decrease. The use of homopolymers of similar nature and the presence of a catalyst favor the copolymerization reaction and the decrease in their synthesis temperature, respectively. Synthesis of starch copolymers with polyhydrocarbons and hydrophobic polymers is limited; however, graft compatibilizers of starch-g-synthetic polymers can be synthesized to favor their copolymerization. The chemical characterization of the graft copolymer must be carried out through a set of instrumental techniques to corroborate the chemical bond of the starch with the synthetic polymer. The knowledge about this type of synthesis is very promising for the reduction of synthetic polymers discarded into the environment.

## **Acknowledgements**

We are grateful to Universidad del Papaloapan and Martha Rocio Valencia Estacio for their assistance on this chapter.
