Starch-Based Biofilms for Green Packaging
The aim of this study is to develop degradable starch-based packaging film with enhanced mechanical properties. A series of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/tapioca starch compounds with various tapioca starch contents were prepared by twin-screw extrusion
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Abstract The aim of this study is to develop degradable starch-based packaging film with enhanced mechanical properties. A series of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/tapioca starch compounds with various tapioca starch contents were prepared by twin-screw extrusion with the addition of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene as compatibilizer. Palm cooking oil was used as processing aid to ease the blown film process; thus, degradable film can be processed via conventional blown film machine. Studies on their mechanical properties and biodegradation were carried out by tensile test and exposure to fungi environment, respectively. The presence of high starch contents had an adverse effect on the tensile properties of LDPE/tapioca starch blends. However, the addition of compatibilizer to the blends improved the interfacial adhesion between the two materials and hence improved the tensile properties of the films. High content of starch was also found to increase the rate of biodegradability of LDPE/tapioca starch films. It can be proved by exposure of the film to fungi environment. A growth of microbes colony can be seen on the surface of LDPE/tapioca starch film indicates that the granular starch present on the surface of the polymer film is attacked by microorganisms, until most of it is assimilated as a carbon source.
R. R. Ali (&) W. A. W. A. Rahman N. B. Ibrahim R. M. Kasmani Polymer Engineering Department, Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia e-mail: [email protected] N. B. Ibrahim R. M. Kasmani Gas Engineering Department, Faculty of Petroleum and Renewable Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
R. Pogaku et al. (eds.), Developments in Sustainable Chemical and Bioprocess Technology, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4614-6208-8_41, Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
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Introduction Plastics are widely used economical materials characterized by excellent all-round properties, easy moulding, and manufacturing. Approximately 140 million tonnes of synthetic polymers are produced worldwide each year to replace more traditional materials, particularly in packaging. Over 60 % of post-consumer plastic waste is produced by households and most of it as single-use packaging (Zheng and Yanfu 2005). Plastics are manufactured and designed to resist the environmental degradation and also more economical than metal, woods, and glasses in terms of manufacturing costs and energy required. Due to these issues, plastic resins have become one of the most popular materials used in packaging. However, these plastics are made of petroleum-based materials that are not readily biodegradable. Synthetic plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene have a very low water vapor transmission rate, which is a good characteristic of packaging materials. Furthermore, they are totally non-biodegradable and therefore lead to environmental pollution, which pose serious ecological problems. Polyolefin is not degra
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