Open Access
Subscription or Fee Access
Biodisintegrable Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Sago Starch (SS) Composites for Food Packaging Applications
Abstract
Research scientists are very interested in polysaccharide-filled plastics as a way to create a biodisintegrable polymer composite. The goal of the current study is to employ SS to create a biodisintegrable polymer composite, which could pave the way for a more user-friendly polymer composite in the future. In this study, LDPE/SS biodisintegrable composites were created by physically blending SS and LDPE in a Brabender mixer. The effects of varying the SS concentration on the mechanical, thermal, and biodegradability characteristics of the polymer composite were examined. The mechanical and thermal properties of the polymer composite were then examined to see how the cross-linking agent affected them. The melt flow index of the blends was established in order to evaluate their rheological properties and appropriateness for the blow film technique. The SS content had a direct impact on the polymer composite's mechanical properties and biodegradability. With the addition of SS, the tensile modulus of LDPE increased but the melt flow index and elongation at break dropped. It has been observed that cross-linked SS in LDPE/SS composites has a greater melt flow index than other composites. LDPE/SS composites have superior characteristics to other homogeneous composites because of the cross-linked SS, which also results in superior SS dispersion. Compared to non-cross-linked SS/LDPE composites, cross-linked SS/LDPE composites showed improved elongation at break and tensile modulus. Although they were remained lower than those of virgin LDPE, cross-linked SS blends had higher crystallization temperatures than non-cross-linked SS blends. Furthermore, tests on the biodegradability of a number of SS composites were performed. The water absorption capacity of the cross-linked SS composites was significantly reduced. As a result, the mechanical, thermal, and degrading properties of the synthetic SS-mixed LDPE polymer can be modified to alter the polymer's properties for usage in food packaging applications.
References
Zaman HU, Khan R. Effects of Filler Content and Compatibilizers on the Properties of Low- Density Polyethylene (LDPE)/Thermoplastic Potato Starch (TPS) Blend Composite. International Journal of Advanced Science and Engineering. 2022;8:2371.
Raj B. Low density polyethylene/starch blend films for food packaging applications. Advances in Polymer Technology: Journal of the Polymer Processing Institute. 2004;23:32-45.
Zaman HU, Khan R. Preparation and Characterization of Low-Density Polyethylene- Thermoplastic Sago Starch Blends with Enhanced Biodegradability. International Journal of Advanced Science and Engineering. 2021;8:2127.
López OV, Lecot CJ, et al. Biodegradable packages development from starch based heat sealable films. Journal of Food Engineering. 2011;105:254-263.
Ali TM, Hasnain A. Morphological, physicochemical, and pasting properties of modified white sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) starch. International Journal of Food Properties. 2014;17:523-535.
Bilck AP, Grossmann MV, et al. Biodegradable mulch films for strawberry production. Polymer Testing. 2010;29:471-476.
Afolabi T, Ogundiran O. Mechanical and biodegradability properties of hydroxypropyl and cross-linked starch-Low density polyethylene (LDPE) Composite. Journal of Chemical Society of Nigeria. 2019;44.
Ammala A, Bateman S, et al. An overview of degradable and biodegradable polyolefins. Progress in Polymer Science. 2011;36:1015-1049.
Zaman HU, Khan RA. Improving the Physico-mechanical and Degradable Properties of Thermoplastic Polymer with Modified Starch Blend Composites for Food packaging Applications. Progress in Applied Science and Technology. 2021;11:1-8.
Zaman HU, Beg MDH. Biodegradable Composites Manufactured from Low-Density Polyethylene and Thermoplastic Sago Starch: Preparation and Characterization. Progress in Applied Science and Technology. 2021;11:42-49.
Kumar M, Mohanty S, et al. Effect of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) on the thermal, mechanical and morphological property of biodegradable PLA/PBAT blend and its nanocomposites. Bioresource Technology. 2010;101:8406-8415.
Zaman HU, Beg MDH. Effect of Filler Starches on Mechanical, Thermal and Degradation Properties of Low-Density Polyethylene Composites. Progress in Applied Science and Technology. 2021;11:26-36.
Iovino R, Zullo R, et al. Biodegradation of poly (lactic acid)/starch/coir biocomposites under controlled composting conditions. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 2008;93:147-157.
Beg MDH, Kormin S, et al. Environmentally degradable sago starch filled low-density polyethylene. Journal of Polymer Engineering. 2015;35:551-563.
da Rosa Zavareze E, Pinto VZ, et al. Development of oxidised and heat–moisture treated potato starch film. Food Chemistry. 2012;132:344-350.
Singh H, Chang YH, et al. Influence of heat–moisture treatment and annealing on functional properties of sorghum starch. Food Research International. 2011;44:2949-2954.
Zaman HU, Beg MDH. Study on binary low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/thermoplastic sago starch (TPS) blend composites. Progress in Applied Science and Technology. 2021;11:53-65.
Jacobs H, Delcour JA. Hydrothermal modifications of granular starch, with retention of the granular structure: A review. Journal Agricultural Food Chemistry. 1998;46:2895-2905.
Woo K, Seib P. Cross‐linked resistant starch: Preparation and properties. Cereal Chemistry. 2002;79:819-825.
Kuniak L, Marchessault R. Study of the crosslinking reaction between epichlorohydrin and starch. Starch‐Stärke. 1972;24:110-116.
Zaman HU, Beg M. Preparation, structure, and properties of the coir fiber/polypropylene composites. Journal of Composite Materials. 2014;48:3293-3301.
Mali S, Sakanaka LS, et al. Water sorption and mechanical properties of cassava starch films and their relation to plasticizing effect. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2005;60:283-289.
Borghei M, Karbassi A, et al. Microbial biodegradable potato starch based low density polyethylene. African Journal of Biotechnology. 2010;9:4075-4080.
Willett J. Mechanical properties of LDPE/granular starch composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 1994;54:1685-1695.
Goheen S, Wool R. Degradation of polyethylene–starch blends in soil. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 1991;42:2691-2701.
Chandra R, Rustgi R. Biodegradable polymers. Progress in Polymer Science. 1998;23:1273- 1335.
Nawang R, Danjaji I, et al. Mechanical properties of sago starch-filled linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) composites. Polymer Testing. 2001;20:167-172.
Danjaji I, Nawang R, et al. Sago starch‐filled linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) films: Their mechanical properties and water absorption. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2001;79:29-37.
Paul D: Fibers from polymer blends. in Polymer blends, Elsevier; 1978. pp. 167-217.
Pushpadass HA, Bhandari P, et al. Effects of LDPE and glycerol contents and compounding on the microstructure and properties of starch composite films. Carbohydrate Polymers. 2010;82:1082-1089.
Liu W, Wang YJ, et al. Effects of polyethylene‐grafted maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MA) on thermal properties, morphology, and tensile properties of low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) and corn starch blends. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2003;88:2904-2911.
Sallach RE, Cui W, et al. Long-term biostability of self-assembling protein polymers in the absence of covalent crosslinking. Biomaterials. 2010;31:779-791.
Pan J, Han X, et al. A model for biodegradation of composite materials made of polyesters and tricalcium phosphates. Biomaterials. 2011;32:2248-2255.
Mulder KF. Sustainable consumption and production of plastics? Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 1998;58:105-124.
Danjaji I, Nawang R, et al. Degradation studies and moisture uptake of sago-starch-filled linear low-density polyethylene composites. Polymer Testing. 2002;21:75-81.
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.