Effect of chemical treatment on the structural, thermal, and mechanical properties of lemongrass waste for biodegradable plastic.

Overconsumption of plastic usage has led to a detrimental effect on the environment such as microplastic pollution that has become a great danger to aquatic life. Bio-based polymers have become feasible alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics and there has been a marked increase in biodegradable materials for use in packaging, agriculture, medicine, and other areas. Natural fibers are environmentally friendly resources used to strengthen bioplastics, useful for many industrial applications. The study's objective was to investigate the effect of chemical treatment on the structural aspect, and thermal properties of lemongrass fiber as biofiller for bioplastic starch. Lemongrass fibers were treated with an alkaline solution containing 5 % sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with molecular weight of 40.00 g/mol. The untreated and treated lemongrass bioplastic's structural properties, thermal properties, and mechanical properties have been analysed. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images showed that lemongrass fibers treated with NaOH have a rougher surface, attributed to the removal of surface impurities and waxy substances that cover the fibers. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that the treatment with NaOH removed hemicelluloses and lignin as demonstrated by an absence of absorption bands at 2849.45 cm¹ and the lack of absorption strength at bands 1245.73 cm¹. TGA and DSC result showed that the treated lemongrass had excellent thermal stability at lower temperature and higher residue level due to the elimination of hemicellulose and lignin. The use of lemongrass fiber reinforcement in bioplastics enhanced the bioplastics' thermal properties significantly. Bioplastic reinforced with alkaline modified fibers showed a more remarkable improvement in thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]