Open AccessPRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RICE STARCH AND CORN STARCH BASED BIODEGRADABLE BIOPLASTIC USING VARIOUS PLASTICIZERS AND NATURAL REINFORCING FILLERS
Author(s) -
Arifa Shafqat,
Arifa Tahir,
Waheed Ullah Khan,
Adeel Mahmood,
Ghulam Hassan Abbasi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cellulose chemistry and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.302
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2457-9459
pISSN - 0576-9787
DOI - 10.35812/cellulosechemtechnol.2021.55.73
Subject(s) - bioplastic , plasticizer , biodegradation , starch , ultimate tensile strength , biodegradable plastic , chemistry , absorption of water , silicone , materials science , pulp and paper industry , composite material , food science , waste management , organic chemistry , engineering
The present study focuses on testing the potential of starch from two different sources: corn and rice, to produce bioplastics, and the impact of natural agricultural waste materials (eggshells and rice hulls) as fillers. Bioplastic samples with different starches, plasticizers and amounts of fillers, in varying combinations, were prepared to determine the feasibility of the produced bioplastics. The physico-chemical properties of the bioplastics, such as moisture content, water absorption, water and alcohol solubility, biodegradability, tensile strength and Young’s modulus, were investigated. FT-IR analysis was also performed. The RTV silicone coating of the samples was tested to induce hydrophobic properties to water-soluble bioplastics. This study demonstrated that the utilization of starches from different sources, various types of plasticizers, as well as filler types and amounts, can have a significant impact on the physico-chemical properties of the bioplastics. Moreover, the bioplastics produced are safe for the environment and biodegradable, so starch-based bioplastics can be a promising environmentally friendly alternative to harmful petroleum-based plastics.