# Effects on the Enthalpy of Microsynthesis Calorimetry of the Graft Copolymer Starch-g-Polycaprolactone for Five Starch Sources

## TL;DR

This study examines how different starch sources affect the enthalpy during the synthesis of a graft copolymer with polycaprolactone.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in evaluating the enthalpy effects of graft copolymer synthesis using five distinct starch sources.

## Key findings

- FTIR confirmed successful graft copolymerization across all starch sources.
- Cassava starch showed the highest enthalpy at synthesis temperatures of 150°C and 160°C.
- Copolymerization occurred on the surface of starch granules, indicated by low viscosity in pasting profiles.

## Abstract

The aim of this work was to carry out a microsynthesis of a graft copolymer from different starch sources with polycaprolactone (PCL) and to evaluate its effects on enthalpy during synthesis via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The copolymer was characterized via FTIR and pasting profile techniques. FTIR studies revealed that starch–PCL graft copolymerization was carried out on all starch sources. The pasting profile revealed that the copolymer presented low viscosity values (heating and cooling stages), compared with those of native starches. This finding indicates that copolymerization took place on the surface of the starch granules. Cassava starch presented the highest enthalpy values at synthesis temperatures of 150 °C and 160 °C.