Switchable adhesive and objects utilizing the same

Method for preparing a hot aqueous solvent switchable adhesive, the method comprising the steps of

• a. providing starch;
• b. subjecting the starch to hot aqueous solvent treatment in order to gelatinize the starch;
• c. treating the gelatinized starch to induce retrogradation in said gelatinized starch to obtain expanded starch;
• d. adding non-aqueous water-soluble solvent to precipitate the expanded starch, substantially separating the precipitated expanded starch from the solvent and further washing of the expanded starch with a non-aqueous water-soluble solvent until at least 90 vol. % of the aqueous solvent added under step b is removed,
• e. suspending the expanded starch in inert water-free organic solvent, adding of a catalyst, adding of a fatty acid anhydride and either
• i. keeping the mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to allow the formation of an esterified expanded starch, or
• ii. treating the mixture in a micro-wave oven at 100-1000 W and for a period of 1 to 10 minutes sufficient to allow the formation of an esterified expanded starch;
• f. adding non-aqueous water-soluble solvent to precipitate the esterified expanded starch, and drying of the esterified expanded starch;
• or addition of water which also facilitates precipitation of the esterified expanded starch;
• g. admixing a plasticizer to the esterified expanded starch, allowing the formation of a plasticized esterified expanded starch.