In this study, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized from banana peels (Jackfruit banana) extract (BPE) at different pH condition. The samples were then characterized to identify the optimum pH condition for producing ZnO NPs and at the same time determine the crystallite and particles size of ZnO. This paper covered a section of green chemistry since green application has become an attention nowadays. Slo-gel method is the method used to synthesize the ZnO NPS because the advantages in terms of eco-friendly, less time consumption, cost effective and easy to apply. BPE is one of raw material that has the ability to act as stabilizer and reducing agent. The samples were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Red (FTIR) Spectroscopy, UV-visible spectrometer (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Brunaner-Emmett-Teller (BET). It was found that the presence of ZnO were recorded from FTIR spectra at wavenumber 350-390 cm-1for all samples which indicating the presence of ZnO bond. The UV-Vis spectrometer was recorded to observe the absorption peak, the highest absorption peak at 367 nm and the band gap was 3.38 Ev at pH 12. XRD analysis showed the ZnO nanoparticles formed to have hexagonal wurtzite structure and the crystallite size between 16 to 23 nm and the smallest crystallite size was smallest at pH 12. BET analysis showed that the surface area of ZnO NPs between 15 to 53 m2/g and the average particles size of ZnO NPs between 20 to 66 nm. As a conclusion, ZnO NPs can be produced from BPE at optimum pH of 12.
The polyethylene-thermoplastic (PE/TPS) based film was introduced many years ago, but the compatibility of PE/TPS still an issue because synthetic compatibilizer has a safety drawback. In this work, aloe vera (AV) was introduced as a compatibilizer to enhance stress and characteristics of PE/TPS film. This paper determines the optimum PE/TPS/AV film formulation using full factorial design (FFD) analysis. Melt blending and hot-press techniques were used to prepare the film. Four selected PE/TPS/AV samples were chosen to discuss mechanical properties, functional groups, thermal degradation, and thermal properties changes. Based on FFD, PE was the most significant material that caused substantial changes in the film's mechanical properties. Concurrently, the interaction between PE/TPS and TPS/AV significantly influenced the value of the secant modulus. The addition of AV into TPS improved the stress and reduced the strain. New peaks are present in TPS/AV that share the same functional group with PE. Thus, improving the stress of the film. The presence of AV caused peaks 2916 cm -1 and 2849 cm -1 of TPS to strengthen at once; the thermal degradation increases tremendously from 282 °C to 354.70 °C. The melting temperature showed a reduction when TPS/AV was added into PE, but the crystallization temperature did not significantly change. However, significant changes occurred for crystallization enthalpy when TPS/AV was incorporated in PE at once, affecting the degree of crystallinity. In conclusion, AV was suggested to act as a compatibilizer/crosslinker or plasticizer to improve PE film packaging properties.
Plastic waste is a global crisis, and Malaysia is the 8th worst country worldwide for plastic waste. With this trend, growing market demands for green product have imposed pressure on industries to find an alternative to petroleum-based plastic. Degradable plastic is introduced to overcome this limitation. The present work investigates degradable plastic film of low-density polyethylene incorporated with cassava starch (LDPE-CS). The compounding of the LDPE-CS was prepared via pre-mixing, blending, resin crushing, and film hot pressing. Film thickness, tensile strength, elongation, water absorption, and field test were conducted on the LDPE-CS and commercial LDPE (control). Experimental data of LDPE-CS and commercial LDPE films were evaluated and compared. Thickness of LDPE-CS film was 0.18 mm which was 51% thicker than the control film. Tensile strength and elongation of the LDPE-CS were 7.04 MPa and 5.39%, while control film was 12.77 MPa and 921.5%, respectively. The tensile strength and elongation of the LDPE-SC were significantly lower than the control film, which may be due to the weak interface between LDPE and starch. The water absorption test revealed that the LDPE-CS film absorbed water by 4.8%, which indicates its degradability in the water. The field test shows that the LDPE-CS is biodegradable and comparable with the commercial plant polybag in terms of its capability in planting.
The combination of starch (S) and polyethylene (PE) increased the mechanical properties of starch and improved the degradation ability of PE. However, the polyethylene-starch (PE-S) combination has inconsistent mechanical properties performance. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to investigate the PE-S-based film’s characterization changes and mechanical properties performance upon the addition of different types and formulations of a plasticizer; 30% glycerol, 30% aloe Vera (AV) gel, or a combination of 30% glycerol with 1% AV powder. First, a Banbury mixer was applied to prepare the resin, followed by a hot-pressed technique to obtain a thin film. Glycerol acted as a plasticizer disturbed the functional group appearance of PE-S-based film. Thus, it reduced the tensile strength and elongation at break performance, including increased the water absorption of the film. The results also revealed that an apparent agglomeration of starch appeared in PE-S film upon adding 30% AV gel at once, showing the most deficient mechanical properties with the highest water absorption occurred. Surprisingly, the combination of 30% glycerol with 1% AV powder suggests 1% AV powder acted as a crosslinker between starch and glycerol because the tensile strength increases by 49% compared to PE-S with 30% glycerol only. Furthermore, the crystallinity percentage of PE-S film reduced upon adding other materials from 54.04% to between 39.90% until 43.93%. In conclusion, the type and percentage of AV played an essential role in PE-S film, either acting as a plasticizer or a crosslinker.
The present study reports the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) using Jackfruit banana peel (Musa Species.) extracts (BPE) as reducing and stabilizing agent. This green synthesis is considered promising an alternative technique that cost effective, nontoxic and environmental friendly. Zinc acetate dehydrate solution ((CH3COO)2.2H2O) was used as the precursor for ZnO synthesis and the concentration was varied in the range of 0.100 M – 0.010 M at constant pH of solutions, 12. The synthesized ZnO NPs were then characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, x-ray Diffractometer and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). The band gap energy was found in the range of 3.44 eV - 3.58 eV while XRD analysis shows a crystalline structure in hexagonal wurtzite shape. These unique characteristics open the possibilities of various potential application in medical and industry as well as for development of antimicrobial agent for food packaging applications.
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