Development of biodegradable packaging from cassava starch and oil palm leaf fiber : Mechanical properties

Zamri, Nurain (2024) Development of biodegradable packaging from cassava starch and oil palm leaf fiber : Mechanical properties. Project Report. Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

Text (Full Text) Development of biodegradable packaging from cassava starch and corn husk fibre - Mechanical properties.pdf - Submitted Version Download (3MB)

Abstract

The growing environmental concerns and challenges associated with non-biodegradable polymers have grown rapidly. The widespread use of food packaging has a negative impact on the environment. To overcome this problem, some environmentally friendly materials have been produced for packaging purposes. Biopolymers are materials that might resolve this issue because they are biodegradable, low cost, renewable and more environmentally friendly. Among biodegradable polymers, starch is one of the most promising due to the ability to produce thermoplastic starch. Thermoplastic starch polymers (TPS) have now been the subject of intensive research for use in packaging materials with several formulations including bio-fillers or fibers to reinforce bio-based plastics, they are also developed from various natural sources that are biodegradable and compostable. Meanwhile, oil palm leaf fiber (OPLF) has been identified as a potential reinforcing element to produce bio-based composites. Many studies on palm oil have been published. However, a comprehensive and in-depth investigation of the use of oil palm leaves has not yet taken place. The objective of this study is to prepare a biodegradable thermoplastic tapioca starch (TPCS) composite reinforced with OPLF, investigate its mechanical and thermal properties, and to produce biodegradable packaging. Sample preparation involved a mixture of OPLF, cassava starch, glycerol, and palm wax, which was then fabricated using a hot compression mold at a temperature of 155°C for 60 minutes. Incorporation of palm wax and OPLF increased the biopolymer limit of cassava essence. The composition of OPLF in the study ranged from 0 to 20 wt.%. To evaluate the potential of TPCS reinforced with OPLF composites as a biodegradable reinforcement, the basic properties of this material were investigated. Tensile and bending tests were conducted to examine the mechanical properties, while Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was used to evaluate the thermal properties of the TPCS/OPLF composite. Additional tests, including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), were conducted to evaluate the performance of TPCS reinforced with OPLF composites. The results for tensile and flexural properties of the TPCS/OPLF composite show an increasing trend with the addition of fibre into TPCS. For tensile strength and flexural strength, it was discovered that 20% OPLF shows the maximum strength for both tests, which was 2.60 MPa for tensile strength and 5.34 MPa for flexural strength. Additionally, SEM and FTIR were used to analyse the TPCS/OPLF composite. Furthermore, FTIR has shown the existence of cellulose and O-H bonding in starch and fiber was indicated by the highest peak in the curve, which was at 3000 cm-1 and 3500 cm-1. Moreover, when fibre concentration rises, SEM micrographs of the composite reveal more micro void, crack, and fibre breakage. As a TGA result, adding the fibre increased the characteristics in terms of thermal stability, as seen by the higher residue concentration. Overall, it can be concluded that this study shows that the addition of OPLF into TPCS can improve the mechanical properties of TPCS, particularly in packaging. Therefore, using oil palm as a reinforcement in composite materials can help to fully utilize natural waste materials and potentially to replace non-biodegradable bioplastic in the future.

Actions (login required)

View Item