Ultrafast deconstruction and reconstruction of corn starch via synergistic effect of high-frequency electric field and water motion

The intricate multi-level microstructure of starch, formed through extensive inter- and intra-molecular hydrogen bonds, significantly influences the processability and performance of starch-based products. Consequently, the ability to effectively manipulate the multi-level microstructure holds substantial implications for the development of biomass products. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing high-frequency electric field (HFE) to produce a transparent and robust starch product. HFE facilitates the deconstruction of hydrogen bonds under low-temperature conditions through the synergistic effect of the electric field and water motion, resulting in a decrease of Va crystalline content by up to 20.3 %. This method offers advantages in enhancing starch plasticization efficiency and minimizing degradation caused by thermomechanical action in conventional processing techniques. The synergistic effect also promotes the reconstruction of hydrogen bonds within the materials, leading to improved mechanical properties and transparency of the starch products. The resulting products exhibited a tensile strength of 16.36 MPa and a toughness of 2.21 J/m3, comparable to those of commercial plastics. This research presents a promising approach for the fabrication of high-performance bio-based polymer materials.