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

Abstract

With the ever-increasing demand of plastics in the world and their consequent disastrous effects on environment, a suitable environmental-friendly substitute like bioplastics/biodegradable plastics is the need time. This study centers on green-production of a variety of bioplastic samples from (1) banana peel starch (BPP) and (2) a composite of banana peel starch, cornstarch and rice starch (COM) with varying amounts of potato peel powder and wood dust powder as fillers, respectively. Two different plasticizers – Glycerol and Sorbitol – have been utilized separately and in a 1:1 combination. A total of 12 samples of each of two types of bioplastics were made using multiple amounts and combinations of the fillers and plasticizers, to test the differences in the physical and chemical characteristics (moisture content, absorption of water, solubility in water, solubility in alcohol, biodegradation in soil, tensile strength, Young’s modulus and FT-IR) of the produced samples due to their different compositions. The differences in the properties of the bioplastic samples produced make them suitable for usage in many different applications. All 24 of the samples produced were synthesized using natural and environmentally safe raw material and showed biodegradation, thus proving to be a good alternative to the conventional plastics.