Thermoplastic Sugar Palm Starch Reinforced Graphene Nanoplatelets for Sustainable Biocomposite Films
Noor Fadhilah Rahmat,
Mohd Shaiful Sajab,
Atiqah Mohd Afdzaluddin,
Ding Gongtao,
Chin Hua Chia
Affiliations
Noor Fadhilah Rahmat
Research Center for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Physics, Centre for Defence Foundation Studies, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Mohd Shaiful Sajab
Research Center for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Atiqah Mohd Afdzaluddin
Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
Ding Gongtao
Key Laboratory of Biotechnology and Bioengineering of State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Biomedical Research Center, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, PR China
Chin Hua Chia
Materials Science Program, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
Graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were incorporated into thermoplastic starch (TPS) films, and effects on water absorption and mechanical properties were investigated. GNP inclusion formed a barrier that significantly reduced water absorption, resulting in denser TPS/GNP films. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed changes in chemical interactions, and FESEM analysis showed improved GNP dispersion at this concentration. Water contact angle results indicated increased hydrophobicity with higher GNP content. Positive influences on mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and Young's modulus, were observed at 12 wt% GNP, but excessive GNP content caused agglomeration and reduced ductility. The study results highlight the potential of GNP-reinforced TPS films for improved water resistance and mechanical properties, emphasizing the need for careful optimization in future research.
