Synthesis, Characterization and Eco-friendly Applications of Biodegradable Polycaprolactone-Tapioca Starch Polymeric Composite Membrane

Abstract

In the pursuit of sustainable materials, this study on the synthesis and multifaceted characterization of a novel biodegradable polymeric composite membrane. The polymeric composite composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and tapioca starch (TS) was meticulously prepared and it’s properties were systematically investigated. FTIR was employed to elucidate the structure of the composite, while SEM facilitated the morphological examination. The biodegradability of the material was rigorously assessed through a burial method and a comparative analysis was also conducted against a commercially available facemask. The antimicrobial efficacy and the material’s suitability for water purification were also evaluated. The versatile application potential of the polymeric composite was further demonstrated through packaging tests utilizing tomatoes. The comprehensive investigated presented in this study demonstrates the advantageous sustain-ability of the PCL-TS polymer composite, hence highlighting its potential for many environmental friendly applications.