Comparative thermal analysis study of two biopolymers, starch and cellulose

The degradation of cellulose and starch samples in air and nitrogen has been investigated by thermal analysis techniques. The techniques employed were differential thermal analysis, rising temperature and temperature jump thermogravimetry. Rate data were obtained from these experiments and Arrhenius parameters calculated from these values. This data was used to determine the mechanism by which the cellulose and starch 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).