Non-Covalent Sorption Properties of Porous Starch Materials: Enhancement Strategy and Applications

Over the years, a plethora of materials – natural and synthetic – have been engineered for the sorption of substance molecules. Porous starch-based sorbents could improve storage stability and release kinetics of substances. Despite the development of rationally designed porous starch sorbents, only a handful of such formulations have been successfully translated into industrial sorption due to unsatisfactory sorption rates. The surface chemistry of these sorbents and the sorption process affect their sorption properties, which may significantly modulate the sorption rates and alter the expected results. This review emphasizes the influence of sorption behavior and sorption forces of porous starch sorbents on their interaction with sorbed substances. We will discuss in depth how the variables involved (surface chemical modification, composite synthesis, sorption process improvement) would improve the sorption rates of porous starch sorbent on sorbates and the mechanisms underlying these effects. In summary, we overview the design considerations based on sorption enhancement and provide a conceptual template for achieving payload. The knowledge gained is essential to ensure optimal sorption characteristics and thereby controlled functioning as intended.