Characterization and performance analysis of composite bioplastics synthesized using titanium dioxide nanoparticles with corn starch

Plastics being synthetic polymers boast many benefits like strength, flexibility, persistence and longevity, however, being non-biodegradable they are a menace for the environment. The ever growing demand of plastic is resulting in the depletion of natural resources like petroleum as well as the amassment of waste plastics in the environment. This has driven many researchers to develop biodegradable plastics, commonly known as bioplastics. Bioplastics can serve as an environmental-friendly alternatives to harmful petroleum-based plastics, as they are synthesized from natural organic materials like polysaccharides, proteins and lipids. Starch-based bioplastics are an especially promising substitute due to the abundance, renewability, sustainability and biodegradability of starch, however more research is required to perfect bioplastics to make them economically and practically feasible.

A review on environmental significance carbon foot prints of starch based bio-plastic: A substitute of conventional plastics

Recently, environmental problems caused by petroleum-based plastics have been increasing. Therefore, researchers have begun to investigate new materials that may be alternatives to plastics. Bioplastics are considered as green materials alternatives to plastics and they are produced from renewable resources such as corn and potatoes, or microorganisms under certain conditions. In addition, most researchers are concerned with renewable resources for non-food using, such as bioplastic production. For this reason, researchers have been focusing on the utilization of the wastes as bioplastic products. In this study, the bioplastic was produced from potato peel as the food industry waste. Also, some properties of the produced bioplastic such as water absorption capacity and biodegradability were analyzed. Furthermore, water absorption capacity and biodegradability of a commercial bioplastic were also determined in order for the comparison with the one produced from potato peel waste in different conditions. It was found that the produced potato peel bioplastic (PPB) had higher water absorption capacity than commercial bioplastic (CB). Therefore, PPB may not be used in the food service industry but can be used as packing material. Biodegradability tests showed that PPB biodegraded at about 71% in moist soil and 100% in vermicompost within four weeks. On the other hand, it was determined that CB was not degraded in the soil or in the compost in four weeks. Therefore, as a food industry waste, potato peel can be used in biodegradable bioplastic production. In this way, petroleum-based plastic pollution may be decreased both in Turkey and the world.

/pdf/production-of-bioplastic-from-potato-peel-waste-and-1elzec60fn.pdf

Production of bioplastic from potato peel waste and investigation of its biodegradability

Synthesis and characterization of starch based bioplatics using varying plant-based ingredients, plasticizers and natural fillers

Synthetic Synthetic plastic is chemical materials which cause severe environmental problems. Incinerating plastic waste leads to release of hazardous gases, which is not good for humans. Bioplastic can help reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and petroleum, that bioplastic can solve the problem of synthetic plastic use. This research aims to define the properties of the cassava starch-based bioplastic reinforced by nanoclay. Methods were experimental with bioplastic component of cassava starch, glycerol as plasticizer and nanoclay as reinforcement. The bioplastic was analyzed using XRD, tensile test, moisture absorption, biodegradability, and compared with another bioplastic. The results show that the addition of nanoclay into bioplastic results increasing the tensile strength of bioplastic also increases from 5.2 MPa to 6.3 MPa. This research revealed that complete degradation of nanoclay reinforced bioplastic could be achieved on the 6th day.

/pdf/properties-of-cassava-starch-based-bioplastic-reinforced-by-4ujzwsr609.pdf

Properties of Cassava Starch based Bioplastic Reinforced by Nanoclay

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of plastic synthesized using bio-based starch. The method began with extraction of starch from chosen tubers with high content of starch; potato and yam. The samples were first grated, grinded and strained to obtain crude starch, which then centrifuged and rinsed to get pure starch. The starch was then reacted with hydrochloric acid to breakdown amylopectin to prevent the starch from becoming plastic-like. Finally, propan-1,2,3-triol was added as a plasticizer to increase the elasticity of the product. The chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the products were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), tensile strength tester and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR spectra of the product displayed the presence of O-H, C-H, C=O and C-O absorption peaks, which indicate the formation of bioplastic has already occured. The tensile strength obtained for potato and yam starch-based bioplastic are 0.6 MPa and 1.9 MPa, respectively. The result gained from TGA showed that 50% weight loss occurred at 250°C for potato and 310°C for yam-based plastic. The highly biodegradability of the plastic was proven using soil burial test, which observed the percentage of soil biodegradation for potato and yam-based bioplastic in 1 week duration is 43% and 26%, respectively. These bio-based plastics have exhibited good thermal and mechanical properties with high biodegradability that makes them a suitable alternative for the existing conventional plastics.

Ibtihah Hashim

Papers

Synthesis and Characterization of Biodegradable Starch-Based Bioplastics