Development and characterization of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) nanocellulose/thermoplastic starch/poly (lactic acid) biocomposites
In recent years, the escalating of petroleum-based plastic wastes had urged researchers to develop alternative biodegradable packaging plastics derived from bioresources. Traditional plastics are non-biodegradable associated with environment pollutions endangering human and animal life. In this s...
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Format: | Thesis |
Language: | English |
Published: |
2022
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/99665/1/B5%20NAZRIN%20-%20IR.pdf |
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Summary: | In recent years, the escalating of petroleum-based plastic wastes had urged
researchers to develop alternative biodegradable packaging plastics derived
from bioresources. Traditional plastics are non-biodegradable associated with
environment pollutions endangering human and animal life. In this study, sugar
palm crystalline nanocellulose (SPCNC) reinforced thermoplastic sugar palm
starch (TPS)/poly (lactic acid) (PLA) blend biocomposites were prepared using
melt blending and compression moulding. Prior to melt blending process, the
dispersion of SPCNC at a fixed loading (0.5%) within TPS was achieved via
sonication which later proceed with solution casting method to produce TPS
biocomposite films. The PLA and TPS were blended into 5 different ratios
(PLA/TPS; 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, 70:30, 80:20) using Brabender mixer. The
effectiveness of SPCNC reinforcement based on the compatibility of each
composition was evaluated using scanning electron microscopic (SEM)
analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal gravimetric
analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis
(DMA), limiting oxygen index (LOI), tensile, flexural, impact strength, thickness
swelling, water solubility, water absorption, water vapour permeability,
flammability, soil and aqueous environment biodegradation test. XRD patterns
of all blends biocomposite samples elucidate amorphous scattering
background due to the obstruction of PLA side groups to form hydrogen bond
between starch molecule chains. Among all samples, PLA40TPS60 and
PLA60TPS40 had the good compatibility as indicated by the minor
agglomeration and crack lines through SEM images. FTIR spectra exhibited
lower wavenumber shift in the O–H band compared to other samples.
Thickness swelling recorded minor reduction from PLA40TPS60 (11.41%) to
PLA60TPS40 (10.72%). Both samples were classified as HB in UL94 rating
flammability test with PLA40TPS60 (19.2%) had slightly higher LOI value
compared to PLA60TPS40 (18.8%). The PLA40TPS60 had the highest
improvement in tensile, flexural and impact strength, which are 75.47%,
72.63% and 33.13% respectively. At PLA60TPS40, the tensile, flexural and
impact strength were improved by 20.89%, 25.20% and 12.09% respectively.
DMA results showed a significant increment in storage modulus (E′) for
PLA60TPS40 (53.2%) compared to the trivial changes of PLA70TPS30 (10%)
and PLA80TPS20 (0.6%). The PLA60TPS40 demonstrated a higher
degradation temperature at 25% (307 °C) and 50% (324 °C) weight losses
compared to PLA70TPS30. The water vapour permeability was reduced up to
1.02×10−11 g/m.s.Pa for PLA60TPS40 but increased at PLA70TPS30
(1.1×10−11 g /m.s.Pa). For the PLA60TPS40, significant reduction (46% –
69%) was recorded in maximum water uptake in all mediums while soil
degradation rate experienced insignificant increment (7.92%). The
PLA60TPS40 indicated water solubility value of 39.43% corresponded to the
proportion of TPS content. PLA60TPS40 displayed well dispersed TPS within
PLA phase correspondingly to SPCNC distribution resulting insignificant
reduction in mechanical, water barrier and thermal properties. In effort to
overcome plastics pollution and reduce the over-reliance on depleting fossil
resources, biodegradability and low-cost material are prioritized rather than
maximizing their functional properties. |
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