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The present study reports the preparation and characterization of kenaf papers that reinforced with tapioca starch by using the ammonium zirconium (IV) carbonate as coupling agent. The examination shows the tearing resistance, tensile strength, and Young’s modulus of the kenaf papers are enhanced with the addition of starch and coupling agent, up to 3% and 1%, respectively. Under the optimum formulation, the degree of coupling reaction is 87%. The Fourier transform infrared and morphological analyses confirm the performance enhancement of kenaf papers is achieved via the formation of chemical bonding between the kenaf fiber and tapioca starch.

The present work reports the influence of crosslink chemicals (vinyltrimethoxylsilane, dicumyl peroxide, and dibutyl dilaurate) on the mechanical strength and water absorption of the rice straw/high density polyethylene bio-composites. As revealed by the Fourier transform infrared spectra, the surface interaction between the fibers and polymer was improved through the use of vinyltrimethoxylsilane (coupling agent). By properly regulating the dicumyl peroxide (radical initiator) and dibutyl dilaurate (catalyst), the surface interaction was further enhanced, and thus the tensile and flexural strength. These observations were validated by the reduction in the water absorption of the bio-composites as well as the fracture surface examination.

Biocomposite packaging sheets made of cassava leaves (CL) and cassava starch acetate (CSA) were successfully prepared in this study, and using the surface impregnation method, the sheets were able to obtain desirable properties. The CL sheets were impregnated with CSA at various concentrations to improve the sheets’ performance. This newly developed packaging material exhibited low moisture uptake and had a viable tear index value when the CSA impregnation level was 6%. Moreover, the sheets’ properties were comparable to that of available paper or plastic sheets, having low moisture uptake, good wetting time and tear strength, smooth sheet formation, and enhanced thermal stability. Using agro-based materials from cassava plants for packaging materials could reduce the dependency on paper- and plastic-based packaging. Suitable utilization of this material includes as bag, carton and wrap.

Growing public concern about environment and potential risks to health in the polymer and plasticizer industry promises to increase the market for a safer alternative plasticizer such as a vegetable oil-based agent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of crude palm oil as a bio-additive in polypropylene blown films. The polypropylene was blended with 1%, 3%, and 5% dosages of CPO using a twin screw extruder. The extruded samples were blown using the blown thin film technique. Mechanical, physical, and morphological properties were characterized. Modifying polypropylene with CPO showed good enhancement in the mechanical properties of the polypropylene. Tensile strength, elongation at break, impact strength, and tear strength all increased. The scanning electron microscopy photographs of the CPO-modified PP clearly supported the results from the mechanical strength tests. The presence of CPO in the PP matrices decreased the density and increased the melt flow rate. These findings contribute new knowledge to the additives area and give important implications for designing and manufacturing polymer packaging materials.

A series of blends of sago pith waste (SPW) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were prepared. Mechanical and water absorption properties of the composites have been investigated. In this study, variable amounts of plasticized SPW (pSPW) and PVA (pPVA) were processed in the presence of glycerol as plasticizers. Composites were compression molded and evaluated. The addition of pSPW reduced the tensile properties of the composites, lowering the elongation and increasing Young’s modulus. The reduction in mechanical strength with the addition of pSPW was a general phenomenon due to the poor interfacial adhesion between the pPVA and Pspw, which can be proved by the scanning electron microscope observations. The percentage of water absorbed of the pPVA/pSPW biocomposites was higher than either the pPVA or pSPW alone while pSPW showed better water resistance compared to pPVA because of the restricted mobility exerted by the cellulose fibers. The incorporation of SPW into PVA decreased both the mechanical and water absorption properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]