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Potato Starch ; Test 1

Starch-based plastic represents a good alternative to the usual plastic. Among the different types of starch, I decided to test Potato Starch as Well. starch can be processed to produce a starch-based polymer. The starch is first hydratedwith water and then hydrolyzed with a weak acid such as acetic acid or 0.1M HCL.Evaporation of water from the starch solution causes the amylose chain alignment andincreases attraction between the polymeric chains through hydrogen bonding (Rechial etal., 2010). However the polymer does not exhibit plastic properties at this stage. 

In this case I just used ready made potato starch, to get this I just mixed water, potato starch, glycerin and vinegar, (glycerol amounts may vary depending on how flexible you want it.

1) Measure out 60 ml (4 tablespoons) of cold water and pour it into the beaker or container your heating the mixture in.
2) Measure out 10 grams (or about 1 tablespoon) of starch ( the potato / corn starch you made or bought) and add that to the water.
3) Add 5 ml or about 1 teaspoon of acid (vinegar) to the mixture.
4) Add 5 ml or about 1 teaspoon of glycerin to the mixture, more glycerin will make it softer and more flexible, less will make it harder and stiffer but more brittle.
5) If a colored plastic is desired, add in the food coloring now. About 5 drops is good enough.
6) Turn the burner on low and constantly stir the mixture. When it starts to thicken up turn the heat up to medium and stir even more. When it starts to boil, keep boiling it for 5 minutes. You want it to be very clear and sticky (not like toothpaste though, think flubber)
7) You should now have a "gooey" substance that you can pour into a mold, or you can pour it onto a sheet of aluminum foil/silicone heat pad to dry.
8) Depending on humidity, it should take about 1 week to dry in a sunny place. You can dry it faster by putting it in an oven set to 150 F for a few hours.

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