ConclusionWaxy maize starch nanocrystals (SNCs)-reinforced pea starchfilms showed better mechanical, water vapor barrier and mor-phological properties than pure pea starch film. Increasing SNCscontent (less than 5%) improved the measured values of ten-sile strength and elastic modulus in the nanocomposite films.
The moisture content, water vapor permeability, and water-vaportransmission rate of the films significantly decreased with theincrease of SNCs content, the thermal stability was significantlyimproved (not more than 5%). The nanocomposites with 5%SNCs presented smooth surface and dense cross-section observedby SEM. Thus, this study demonstrates the potential of SNCs-reinforced pea starch films for developing environmentally friendlyand energy saving packaging materials.