Effect of ZnO / Clay Nanoparticles Concentration Ratios to Improve the Mechanical Properties of Cassava Starch Bioplastics Film for Food Packaging Applications

Abstract

Nowadays, conventional plastics are extensively used in almost daily activities such as the plastic packaging bags produced from polyethylene and polypropylene. However, the products from these polymers cause the environmental problem. To solve this problem the conventional plastic can replace with biodegradable plastic. The main objective of this study is to improve mechanical properties of biodegradable plastic by the addition of percent ratio ZnO/Clay nanoparticles as enforcement. All biodegradable plastic was formed by casting method. The addition of ZnO/clay nanoparticles in the plastic films was varied from 0:1%, 0.1:0.9%, 0.2:0.8%, 0.3:0.7%, 0.4:0.6%, 0.5:0.5%, 0.6:0.4%, 0.7:0.3%, 0.8:0.2% 0.9:0.1% and 1:0% (w/w) by weight of starch. Structural characterization was done by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface morphologies of the plastic film were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result showed that the tensile strength (TS) was improved significantly with the addition of ZnO/Clay nanoparticles. The optimum tensile strength obtained was 10.87 M.Pa on the additional of ZnO/Clay nanoparticles by 0.3:0.7% and plasticizer by 25%. Based on data of FTIR, the produced film plastic does not change the group function and it can be concluded that the interaction in biodegradable plastic produced was only a physical interaction. The biodegradable plastic based on cassava starch-ZnO/Clay nanoparticles and plasticizer glycerine showed that interesting mechanical properties being transparent and clear.