The results in this paper have effectively demonstrated that
CaCl2 can be used as the plasticizer for starch/PVA film. The
plasticizing mechanism of CaCl2 on starch/PVA is in agreement
with the mechanism of the common used plasticizers for starch
and PVA. CaCl2 could form strong interaction with starch and
PVA molecules and the addition of CaCl2 can increase the water
content of starch/PVA films. With the addition of CaCl2 the
compatibility between starch and PVA would be improved and
starch/PVA film appeared a more continuous phase. The glass
transition temperature and the thermal stability of starch/PVA
films decreased with the addition of CaCl2. The addition of CaCl2
can remarkably improve the mechanical properties of starch/PVA
film and overcome the brittleness of starch/PVA film. It can
also be expected that CaCl2 could act as the plasticizer for
other polymers such as cellulose that contain a lot of hydroxyl
groups.