Improved physicochemical properties of cassava starch biodegradable plastics with zinc oxide nanoparticles.

Advancement of material engineering makes biopolymeras an important because of its applications. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of zinc oxide nanofiller on the mechanical properties of biodegradable plastic cassava starch films. Experimental observations of mechanical properties of biodegradable plastic cassava starch films with different percentages of zinc oxide and glycerol are reported. Biodegradable cassava starch-based zinc oxide reinforced composite polymeric films were prepared by casting technique. The zinc oxide content in the films was varied from 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8% and 1.0% (w/w) by weight of starch. Structural characterization was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Surface morphologies of the composites were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result showed that Tensile strength (TS) was improved significantly with the addition of zinc oxide but elongation at break (EB %) of the composites decreased. The maximum tensile strength obtained was 22.30 kgf / mm on addition of zinc oxide by 0.6 percent and plasticizer by 25%. Based on data of FTIR, the film plastic that produced did not happen change function group so we can know that interaction in film plastic produced just physical interaction. Biodegradable plastic film based on cassava starch-zinc oxide and plasticizer glycerol showed that interesting mechanical properties being transparent, clear, homogeneous, flexible, and easily handled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]