Biocomposite of cassava starch-cymbopogan citratus fibre: Mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties

Jumaidin, Ridhwan and Alamjuri, Roziela Hanim and Kamaruddin, Zatil Hafila and Selamat, Mohd Zulkefli and Ahmad Ilyas, Rushdan and Md Yusof, Fahmi Asyadi (2022) Biocomposite of cassava starch-cymbopogan citratus fibre: Mechanical, thermal and biodegradation properties. Polymers, 14 (3). pp. 514-532. ISSN 2073-4360

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Abstract

Increasing environmental awareness and concern have shifted the focus of research and development towards biodegradable materials development. In the current study, Cymbopogan citratus fibre (CCF) were incorporated into thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS) with various content of CCF (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt.%) via compression moulding. The determination of fundamental characteristics of TPCS/CCF biopolymer composites was conducted to assess their potential as biodegradable reinforcements. Characterization of the samples was conducted via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as mechanical, moisture absorption, and soil burial testings. The findings showed that the improved tensile and flexural features of the TPCS composites with CCF incorporation, with 50 wt.% CCF content yielded the maximum modulus and strength. The thermal properties of the bio composite demonstrated that CCF addition improved the material’s thermal stability, as shown by a higher-onset decomposition temperature and ash content. Meanwhile, the CCF incorporation into TPCS slowed down the biodegradation of the composites. In term of morphological, homogeneous fibres and matrix dispersion with excellent adhesion was observed in morphological analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which is crucial for the enhancement of the mechanical performance of bio composites.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Cymbopogan citratus fibre, starch, natural fibre, biodegradation, mechanical properties
Divisions:	Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Depositing User:	Norfaradilla Idayu Ab. Ghafar
Date Deposited:	13 Apr 2023 15:24
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2023 15:24
URI:	http://eprints.utem.edu.my/id/eprint/26627
Statistic Details:	View Download Statistic

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